Tools Required

Caution: Refer to Vehicle Lifting Caution in the Preface section.




1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Remove the left wheel and tire assembly.



3. Drain the transaxle lubricant by removing the transaxle drain plug (1).



4. Remove the tie rod end nut and discard.




Notice: Do not attempt to separate the joint using a wedge-type tool because seal may be damaged.

5. Using the SA91100C , separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.



6. Remove the lower control arm to steering knuckle nut and bolt.

Notice: Place a cloth over the ball stud boot, protecting it from damage caused by contact with steering knuckle.

Notice: Be careful not to allow steering knuckle to contact the ball stud seal. Contact may cause the seal to rip, requiring control arm replacement.

7. Separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle.




Notice: To prevent damage to CV Joint boots, be careful not to allow them to contact other parts during the removal/installation process. Also, never pull on the shaft assembly.

8. Using a pry bar, remove the drive axle from the transaxle.
9. Leave the axle in the steering knuckle, and tie the drive axle out of the way.




Important: Do not damage machined surfaces of the bearing retainer and transaxle case when removing the retainer.

10. Remove the differential bearing retainer fasteners and carefully remove the retainer.
11. Remove the O-ring from the differential bearing retainer.

Important: Make sure the differential bearing shims are in the case bore prior to installing the differential bearing retainer.

1. Clean the seal bore in the transaxle case.
2. Install the new O-ring on the differential bearing retainer. Lubricate the O-ring with transaxle lubricant and install the bearing retainer.
3. Install the differential bearing retainer fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the differential bearing retainer-to-transaxle bolts to 24 N·m (18 lb ft).





Notice: Use caution not to damage seal while installing axle into transaxle.

4. Install the SA91100C inside the seal.
5. Install the axle into the transaxle.
6. After the shaft splines clear the seal but before snapping the axle into place, remove the seal protector tool.
7. Push the axle all the way into the transaxle.




Notice: Take care not to damage rubber boot when installing ball joint to knuckle.

8. Insert the lower control arm ball stud into the steering knuckle.
9. Install the lower control arm ball stud retaining bolt and nut.

Tighten
Tighten the lower control arm ball stud bolt and nut-to-steering knuckle to 100 N·m (75 lb ft).





Important: The tie rod ends must be thoroughly cleaned before installing and tightening.

10. Install the tie rod end into the steering knuckle.
11. Using the J 44015 , seat the tie rod end into the steering knuckle.

Tighten
Tighten the linkage installer-to-seat tie rod ends to 45 N·m (35 lb ft).

Important: Use a new nut. Tighten retention of the old nut may not be sufficient.

12. Remove the linkage installer and install a new tie rod end nut.

Tighten
Tighten the rod end-to-steering knuckle to 60 N·m (45 lb ft).




13. Clean and apply thread sealant P/N 21485278 to the transaxle drain plug (1) and install.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle drain plug to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

14. Remove the transaxle level plug (2) and, using a funnel with a flexible spout or a quart bottle hand pump, add manual transaxle lubricant P/N 21018899 until the lubricant begins to flow out of the level plug opening.
15. Clean and apply thread sealant P/N 21485278 to the transaxle level plug (2) and install.

Tighten
Tighten the transaxle fill plug to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

Notice: Refer to Wheel Installation Caution in the Preface section.




16. Position the wheel onto the hub.
17. Install the wheel bolts and tighten in a star pattern.

17.1.

Hand tighten all 5 wheel bolts.

17.2.

Use a torque wrench to tighten the wheel bolts using a star pattern.

Tighten
Initial tighten the wheel bolts to 63 N·m (46 lb ft).

17.3.

Use a torque wrench to final tighten the wheel bolts using a star pattern.

Tighten
Final tighten the wheel bolts to 125 N·m (92 lb ft).

18. Lower the vehicle from the hoist.