Front Axle Shaft Removal & Installation
Suspension strut and drive axle
WARNING: Do not re-use any fasteners that are worn or deformed in normal use. Some fasteners are designed to be used only once, and are unreliable and may fail if used a second time. This includes, but is not limited to, nuts, bolts, washers, circlips and cotter pins. Always follow the recommendations in this manual, replace these fasteners with new parts where indicated, and any other time it is deemed necessary by inspection.
1. Cap
Note different versions
Attaches to strut tower
2. Self-locking nut 60 Nm (44 ft lb)
Always replace
Tighten with torque wrench - Fig. 2.
3. Stop plate
4. Strut
Do not separate from wheel bearing housing to replace shock absorber, coil spring or wheel bearing; remove and install as a unit to preserve camber adjustment
Do not remove drive axle
5. Not applicable for USA/Canada
CAUTION: If the vehicle must be moved while a drive axle is removed, first install an outer CV joint in place of the drive axle, or the wheel bearing will be damaged.
6. Drive axle
Right and left side drive axles are different lengths
Inner CV joint shown not applicable for USA/Canada
Servicing Front Axle Shaft Assembly/Disassembly
Removing:
Pull ABS wheel speed sensor out slightly (installing: push sensor in fully)
Disconnect links -22- below, on both sides and press stabilizer bar upward
Disconnect from drive flange
Remove outer hex-bolt and washer/collar bolt -18-.
Turn steering to appropriate angle, and remove
7. Not applicable for USA/Canada
8. Not applicable for USA/Canada
9. Self-locking nut 110 Nm (81 ft lb) plus additional 1/4-turn 90°
Always replace
10. Washer
11. Tie rod end
Press off using two-arm puller - Fig. 1.
12. Wheel bearing housing with hub
Slot for ball joint must not be expanded to press in ball joint
After installing, check wheel alignment
13. Hex bolt
Always replace
Bolt head faces direction of travel
14. Control arm with ball joint
When disconnecting from wheel bearing housing, do not expand slot in wheel bearing housing
Ball joint pin diameter: 19.0 mm (0.748 in.)
15. Self-locking nut 30 Nm (22 ft lb)
Always replace
16. Flange bolt/Hex bolt
Always replace
Install hex bolt, with washer, in place of flange bolt
Always install washer
17. Self-locking nut 50 Nm (37 ft lb)
Always replace
18. Hex-bolt with washer/Collar bolt 200 Nm (148 ft lb) plus additional 1/4-turn (90°)
Always replace
WARNING: Hex-bolt -18- must be loosened or tightened only with the vehicle standing on its wheels. Otherwise, there is risk of accident
19. Drive axle with triple-rotor joint
Deviation from position -6-
Servicing
20. Socket-head bolt 80 Nm (59 ft lb)
Always replace
21. Self-locking nut 40 Nm (30 ft lbs)
Always replace
22. Connecting link
For stabilizer bar
Fig. 1 Pressing off tie rod end:
Fig. 2 Tightening strut top nut with torque wrench:
Counter-hold shock absorber piston rod with hex key.