Driveaxle (4WD models with independent front suspension) – removal and installation

1. Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Remove the wheel (s).

2. Remove the caliper and brake disc as outlined in Chapter Brakes , then disconnect the ABS sensor and secure the sensor and wire harness aside.

3. Remove the driveaxle/hub nut. Place a prybar between two of the wheel studs to pre­vent the hub from turning while loosening the nut.

4. Support the lower control arm with a floor jack, then slightly raise it to take the force of the spring off the upper control arm. Remove the shock absorber lower mounting bolt, then remove the upper control arm balljoint nut and separate the control arm from the steering knuckle (see Suspension and steering systems).

5. Using a prybar or slide hammer with CV joint adapter, pry the inner CV joint assem­bly from the front differential. Be careful not to damage the front differential. Suspend the driveaxle with a piece of wire – don’t let it hang, or damage to the outer CV joint may occur.

6. Pull the steering knuckle out and away from the outer CV joint of the driveaxle. If the driveaxle proves difficult to remove, tap the end of the driveaxle with a soft-faced ham­mer or a hammer and a brass-punch. If the driveaxle is stuck in the hub splines and won’t move, it may be necessary to push it from the hub with a two-jaw puller.

7. Once the driveaxle is loose from the hub splines, pull out on the hub/knuckle assembly. Remove the support wire and guide the drive-axle out from under the vehicle.

8. Installation is the reverse of removal, noting the following points:

a) Thoroughly clean the splines and bear­ing shield on the outer CV joint. This is very important, as the bearing shield protects the wheel bearings from water and contamination. Also clean the wheel bearing area of the steering knuckle.

b) Thoroughly clean the splines and oil seal sealing surface on the inner tripod CV joint. Apply a film of multi-purpose grease around the oil seal contact sur­face of the inner CV joint.

c) When installing the driveaxle, hold the driveaxle straight out, then push it in sharply to seat the set-ring on the splines of the inner CV joint. To make sure the set-ring is properly seated, attempt to pull the inner CV joint housing out of the differential by hand. If the set-ring is properly seated, the inner joint will not move out.

d) Tighten the driveaxle/hub nut to the torque listed in this Chapter’s Specifica­tions.

e) Install the wheel and lug nuts, lower the vehicle and tighten the lug nuts to the torque listed in the Chapter Tune-up and routine maintenance
Specifica­tions.

t) The upper balljoint-to-steering knuckle nut should not be reused. A new one should always be used. Tighten it to the torque listed in the Chapter Suspension and steering systems Specifica­tions.