Special Tools

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
3. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft spindle nut.

Caution: Hold the ball stud from turning when removing/installing the nut. The boot can become torn and damaged if the ball stud turns.

4. Remove the outer tie rod end-to-steering knuckle nut. Do not loosen the tie rod end jam nut.

Note: Do not use a wedge type tool to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.




5. Using the J-24319-B puller separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.



6. Remove and discard the cotter pin from the lower ball joint stud.
7. Remove the ball joint stud nut.



8. Using the J-43828 separator separate the lower ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.



9. Using a backup wrench on the stud, remove the nut securing the lower stabilizer bar link and disengage the link.
10. Disengage the wheel drive shaft spindle from the wheel hub assembly. If necessary, place a wood block against the end of the wheel drive shaft spindle and tap with a hammer to aid removal.




Note: Use care not to damage the joint boot when removing the wheel drive shaft.

11. Assemble the J-45341 removal tool and the J-2619-O1 hammer to the wheel drive shaft inner tripot joint.

Note: On vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), the stub shaft may disengage from the transfer case. If necessary, cap the opening in the transfer case to prevent fluid loss.

12. Disengage the wheel drive shaft from the transmission or transfer case, if equipped.
13. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

1. Install a new wheel drive shaft retaining ring to the output shaft.



2. Install the J-44394 protector to the wheel drive shaft oil seal.



3. Install the wheel drive shaft to the output shaft:

•	Guide the wheel drive shaft tripot joint squarely onto the output shaft.

•	After the splined end of the wheel drive shaft passes the oil seal, remove the J-44394 protector from the oil seal.

•	Firmly engage the wheel drive shaft to the output shaft.

•	Ensure that the tripot joint is fully seated on the output shaft by grasping the tripot joint and attempting to pull free of the output shaft.




4. Insert the constant velocity (CV) joint spindle to the wheel hub/bearing assembly of the steering knuckle.
5. Hand install a new wheel drive shaft spindle nut.



6. Install the lower ball joint stud to the steering knuckle.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

7. Install the lower ball joint nut to the stud and tighten the nut to 40 N·m (30 lb ft) .
8. Install the cotter pin to the ball joint stud.
9. If necessary, tighten the nut one additional flat at a time until the castle nut aligns with the hole in the ball joint stud.
10. Secure the cotter pin to the ball joint stud by folding one tine over the end of the ball joint stud.
11. Cut off any excess length of the cotter pin tines.



12. Install the lower link to the stabilizer bar.
13. Install a new nut to the stabilizer bar link stud.

Note: In order to prevent damaging the stabilizer bar link stud seal, do not allow the stud to rotate while tightening the nut.

14. Use a back up wrench on the stud and tighten the nut to 65 N·m (48 lb ft) .



15. Install the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
16. Using the J-44015 installer , pull the stud into steering knuckle.
17. Tighten the J-44015 installer to 40 N·m (30 lb ft) .
18. Remove the J-44015 installer from the tie rod end stud.



19. Install a new nut to the tie rod end stud and tighten to 25 N·m (18 lb ft) plus 90 degrees .
20. Tighten the wheel drive shaft spindle nut to 205 N·m (151 lb ft) .



21. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
22. Lower the vehicle.
23. Inspect the transmission fluid level. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check .