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For 1990-2009 cars only

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement AWD

Tools Required

    • J 21579
    • J 2619-01
    • J 44394
    • J 45341

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the front tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

  3. Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  4. Insert a brass drift or equivalent in the brake rotor cooling fins and the brake caliper mounting bracket to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning.
  5. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
  6. Remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement .
  7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

  8. Object Number: 1876372  Size: SH
  9. Using the J 21579 , remove the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub.
  10. Remove the J 21579 from the steering knuckle.
  11. Remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .
  12. Assemble the J 45341 and the J 2619-01 .

  13. Object Number: 1877852  Size: SH

    Important: It may be necessary to cap the transmission or transfer case, if equipped to prevent fluid loss.

    Important: Use care not to damage the wheel drive shaft seal inner or outer boot seals on removal.

  14. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 895295  Size: SH
  1. Position the J 44394 on the wheel drive shaft.

  2. Object Number: 1877982  Size: SH
  3. Install the wheel drive shaft in the transfer case.
  4. Remove the J 44394 from the wheel drive shaft.
  5. Ensure that the wheel drive shaft is properly seated by moving the wheel drive shaft back and forth or in and out. A click should be heard and felt as the wheel drive shaft hits the retaining clip.
  6. Install the wheel drive shaft in the wheel bearing/hub and finger tighten.
  7. Install the lower ball joint in the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement .
  8. Install the stabilizer shaft link in the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

  9. Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  10. Insert a brass drift or equivalent in the brake rotor cooling fins and the brake caliper mounting bracket to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning while torquing the nut.
  11. Caution: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  12. Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut
  13. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 205 N·m (151 lb ft).

  14. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
  15. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement FWD

Tools Required

    • J 21579
    • J 2619-01
    • J 44394
    • J 45341

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .

  3. Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  4. Insert a brass drift or equivalent in the brake rotor cooing fins and the brake caliper mounting bracket to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning.
  5. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut.
  6. Remove the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement .
  7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

  8. Object Number: 1876372  Size: SH
  9. Using the J 21579 , remove the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub.
  10. Remove the J 21579 from the steering knuckle.
  11. Remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement .
  12. Assemble the J 45341 and the J 2619-01 .
  13. Wrap the wheel drive shaft inner and outer boot seals in shop towels. This will help protect the seals during the removal an installation process.
  14. Important: Use care not to damage the wheel drive shaft inner and outer boot seals on removal.


    Object Number: 1877853  Size: SH
  15. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 895295  Size: SH
  1. Position the J 44394 on the wheel drive shaft.

  2. Object Number: 1877987  Size: SH
  3. Install the wheel drive shaft into the transfer case.
  4. Remove the J 44394 from the wheel drive shaft
  5. Ensure that the wheel drive shaft is properly seated by moving the wheel drive shaft back and forth or in and out. A click should be heard and felt as the wheel drive shaft hits the retaining clip.
  6. Install the wheel drive shaft in the wheel bearing/hub and finger tighten the nut.
  7. Install the lower ball joint in the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement .
  8. Install the stabilizer shaft link in the stabilizer shaft. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement .

  9. Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  10. Insert a brass drift or equivalent in the brake rotor cooing fins and the brake caliper mounting bracket to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning while torquing the nut.
  11. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  12. Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut.
  13. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 205 N·m (151 lb ft).

  14. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation
  15. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.