Front Driveshaft Replacement

All Wheel Drive (AWD)

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 bearing with stub axle replacement tool No. MB990998, or equivalent.

Fig.1 Wheel Bearing Support Tool Installation:

1. Remove center cap and drive axle nut.
2. Raise and support vehicle, then remove front wheel.
3. Disconnect lower arm ball joint and knuckle coupling, then remove strut bar and stabilizer bar from lower arm.
4. Remove driveshaft in numbered sequence shown, noting the following:

Fig.4 Driveshaft Removal:

a. When removing LH driveshaft, remove center bearing snap ring from bearing bracket.
b. Lightly tap double offset joint outer race with a wooden hammer and disconnect drive axle from Cardan joint assembly.
c. Disconnect drive axle from bearing bracket.
d. On both driveshafts, press drive axle from hub using axle shaft puller tool No. MB990241, or equivalent,. When pressing drive axle from hub, use care to prevent the spacer from moving out of position.

Fig.3 Pressing Front Drive Axle From Hub:

e. When removing RH driveshaft, use two screwdrivers as shown.

Fig.5 RH Driveshaft Inner Joint Removal:

f. When removing LH driveshaft, insert a suitable pry bar between transaxle case and outer case of double offset joint, then withdraw drive axle. Cover drive axle opening in transaxle. When removing drive axle, support at tripod or double offset joint and pull shaft straight out to prevent damage to boot or joint. After disconnecting drive axle from transaxle, support shaft in proper position. Pry bar should not be inserted more than .28 inch between transaxle case and outer case of offset joint, as damage to oil seal may result. The double offset joint retainer ring should be replaced whenever the drive axle is removed from transaxle case.

Fig.2 Front Drive Axle Removal:

g. On both driveshafts, remove bearing bracket attaching bolts, then the bearing bracket.
h. Lightly tap yoke of Cardan joint with a wooden hammer and remove it from transaxle assembly.

5. Reverse procedure to install. Torque bearing bracket bolts to 29-39 ft. lbs. and drive axle nut to 145-188 ft. lbs.

Front Wheel Drive (FWD)

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 bearing with stub axle replacement tool No. MB990998, or equivalent.

Fig.1 Wheel Bearing Support Tool Installation:

1. Remove hub dust cap and loosen drive axle nut, then raise and support front of vehicle and remove wheel and tire assembly.
2. Remove undercover, then remove strut bar and ball joint from lower control arm. Use care not to damage ball joint dust boot.
3. Drain transaxle fluid.
4. Insert a suitable pry bar between transaxle case and outer case of double offset joint, then withdraw drive axle. Cover drive axle opening in transaxle. When removing drive axle, support at tripod or double offset joint and pull shaft straight out to prevent damage to boot or joint. After disconnecting drive axle from transaxle, support shaft in proper position. Pry bar should not be inserted more than .28 inch between transaxle case and outer case of offset joint, as damage to oil seal may result. The double offset joint retainer ring should be replaced whenever the drive axle is removed from transaxle case.

Fig.2 Front Drive Axle Removal:

5. Press drive axle, from hub using axle shaft puller tool No. MB990241, or equivalent. When pressing drive axle from hub, use care to prevent the spacer from moving out of position.

Fig.3 Pressing Front Drive Axle From Hub:

6. Reverse procedure to install. Position drive axle so raised inner diameter of washer is facing nut, then install and torque drive axle nut to 145-188 ft. lbs.