Left Drive Axle Shaft

REMOVAL PROCEDURE





1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting Points.
2. Remove the following components (if the vehicle is equipped):
^ The four skid plate bolts
^ The skid plate

3. Remove the left front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Removal in Tires and Wheels.
4. Remove the following components from the locking hub body:
^ The six Allen head bolts
^ The locking hub cover

5. Remove the drive axle shaft snap ring from the end of the drive axle shaft.
6. Remove the drive axle shaft spindle washer from the drive axle shaft.
7. Use a hydraulic jack in order to support the left front control arm.

CAUTION: To prevent personal injury landlord component damage, use the proper tools to support the lower control arm when removing the coil spring. The coil spring is under extreme pressure and can become a projectile should the spring separate from the lower control arm before all of the tension is relieved.

8. Remove the following components from the left front control arm:
^ The three nuts
^ The three bolts

9. Separate the following components from the left front control arm:
^ The steering knuckle
^ The lower ball joint

10. Slowly lower the hydraulic jack in order to relieve the pressure in the coil spring.
11. Remove the wheel-side joint of the left drive axle from the steering knuckle.
12. Remove the wheel-side joint of the left drive axle shaft from the steering knuckle.





13. Make a reference mark (2) on the following components in order to ensure correct installation:
^ The left inner axle shaft flange (1)
^ The differential side joint flange (3) of the left drive axle shaft

14. Remove the following components from the left inner axle shaft flange:
^ The three bolts
^ The three nuts
^ The differential joint flange of the left drive axle shaft

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Install the differential side joint flange of the left drive axle shaft to the left inner axle shaft flange.
Be sure to align the reference marks (2) on the left inner axle shaft flange (1) and the differential side joint flange (3) of the left axle drive shaft.

NOTICE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

2. Install the three bolts and the three nuts.
^ Tighten the left differential side joint bolts and nuts to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.).

3. Install the wheel side joint of the left front drive axle shaft into the steering knuckle.
4. Use a hydraulic jack in order to support the left front control arm.
5. Install the following components to the left front control arm:
^ The steering knuckle
^ The lower ball joint

6. Secure the steering knuckle and the lower ball joint with the three nuts and the three bolts.
^ Tighten the lower ball joint bolts and nuts to 85 Nm (63 ft. lbs.).

7. Remove the hydraulic jack.
8. Install the drive axle shaft spindle washer onto the drive axle shaft.
9. Install the drive axle shaft snap ring onto the end of the drive axle.





10. Install the locking hub cover onto the locking hub body. Be sure to align the index key in the locking hub cover with the notched portion in the locking hub body.
11. Install the six Allen head bolts.
^ Tighten the locking hub cover bolts to 33 Nm (24 ft. lbs.).

12. Install the left front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Wheel Installation in Tires and Wheels.
13. Install the front skid plate to the vehicle (if the vehicle is equipped).
14. Secure the front skid plate with the four bolts.
^ Tighten the front skid plate bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).

15. Lower the vehicle.