Front Drive Axle Shaft Replacement

Fig. 1 Wheel Bearing Support Tool Installation:

CAUTION: Do not apply vehicle load to the wheel bearing after removal of the driveshaft. If a load must be applied to the bearing in moving the vehicle, temporarily secure with special tool No. MB990998 or equivalent.
1. Remove dust cover, cotter pin and driveshaft nut.
2. Raise and support vehicle.
3. Drain transmission oil.
4. Disconnect lower arm ball joint from knuckle, then remove stabilizer and strut bars from lower arm.
5. On lefthand driveshaft, remove bearing bracket attaching bolts.
6. On righthand driveshaft, insert suitable pry bar between transmission case and driveshaft, then pry driveshaft from transmission.
CAUTION: Do not pull on driveshaft and do not insert pry bar deep enough to damage oil seal.

Fig. 29 Driveshaft Removal From Transaxle Case:

Fig. 28 Driveshaft Removal From Front Hub:

7. On lefthand driveshaft, if inner shaft is hard to remove from transaxle, strike center bearing bracket lightly with a plastic hammer.
8. On all driveshafts, using tool No. MB990241 or equivalent, remove driveshaft from hub.
9. Reverse procedure to install, noting the following:
a. Ensure driveshaft washer is correctly installed.
b. Lower vehicle to ground, then attach and adjust driveshaft nut, torquing to 144-188 lb-ft.
c. If cotter pin holes do not line up, tighten bolt without exceeding torque of 188 lb-ft, until holes line up.
d. Install cotter pin. Always use new cotter pins.
e. Refill transaxle to proper level.