Removal and Installation

FRONT DRIVESHAFT ASSEMBLY





COMPONENTS

REMOVAL
1. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly.
2. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in a proper location.





3. Remove the wheel nuts and front wheel.
4. Remove the split pin, the castle nut and the washer from the front hub.
5. Drain the transmission fluid before the driveshaft is removed.





6. Using a plastic hammer, make the driveshaft disconnected from the axle hub.
7. Push the axle hub outward and separate the driveshaft from the axle hub.





8. Insert a pry bar between the transaxle case and the tripod joint case, and pry the driveshaft from the transaxle case.

CAUTION:
^ Be sure to apply the pry bar to the rib of the transaxle case.
^ Do not insert the pry bar too deeply, as this may cause damage to the oil seal. [max. depth: 7 mm (0.28 in.)]
^ For automatic transaxle equipped vehicles, insert a pry bar into the groove of the driveshaft to remove the driveshaft from the transaxle.
^ Do not pull on the driveshaft; the joints may come apart Be sure to use the pry bar.

9. Pull out the driveshaft from the transaxle case.

CAUTION:
^ Place a plug in the hole of the transaxle case to prevent contamination
^ Support the driveshaft properly.
^ Replace the circlip each time the driveshaft is removed from the transaxle case.

INSPECTION
1. Check the boots on the driveshaft for cracks, damage, leaking grease and loose boot bands. If any damage is found, replace the boot and boot bands.
2. Check the joints for wear and operating condition.





3. Turn the driveshaft by hand and make sure the splines and the joints are not excessively loose. If damage is found, replace the joint.
4. Check the splines for wear and damage.
5. Make sure the driveshaft is not twisted or cracked. Replace it if necessary.

INSTALLATION





1. Coat gear oil on the driveshaft splines and transaxle case-sliding surface.
2. Before installing the driveshaft, set the opening side of the circlip facing downward.
3. Assemble the dust cover, the hub, the brake disc and the wheel bearing to the knuckle.





4. Install the birfield joint into the knuckle.
5. In practice, the knuckle should be installed in the lower arm the moment the birfield joint is installed in the knuckle. Be careful not to damage the boot.





6. Install the knuckle in the strut assembly with the tightening torque, 75 - 90 Nm (750 - 900 kg cm, 54 - 65 ft. lbs.).
7. Install the lower arm in the knuckle with the tightening torque 60 - 72 Nm (600 - 720 kg cm, 43 - 52 ft. lbs.).
8. After the installation, check on the driveshaft for maneuver by hand.





9. After installing the washer with convex surface outward, install the castle nut and the split pin.