Removal

CAUTION:
- Boot sealing is vital to retain special lubricants and to prevent foreign contaminants from entering the Constant velocity (C/V) joint. Mishandling, such as allowing the assemblies to dangle unsupported, or pulling or pushing the ends can cut boots or damage C/V joints. During removal and installation procedures, always support both ends of the driveshaft to prevent damage.

- The driveshaft, when installed, acts as a bolt and secures the front hub/bearing assembly. If vehicle is to be supported or moved on its wheels with a driveshaft removed, install a PROPER-SIZED BOLT AND NUT through front hub. Tighten bolt and nut to 203 Nm (150 ft. lbs.). This will ensure that the hub bearing cannot loosen.

Cotter Pin, Nut Lock And Spring Washer:

1. Remove cotter pin, nut lock, and spring washer from the end of the outer C/V joint stub axle.

Loosening Front Hub Retaining Nut:

2. Loosen (but do not remove) stub axle-to-hub/ bearing retaining nut. Loosen hub nut while vehicle is on the floor with the brakes applied. The front hub and driveshaft are splined together and retained by the hub nut.
3. Raise vehicle on jack stands or centered on a frame contact-type hoist. See Hoisting in the Lubrication and Maintenance section for required lifting procedure to be used for this vehicle.
4. Remove front tire and wheel assembly from the hub.

Front Disc Brake Caliper Assembly Bolts:

5. Remove front disc brake caliper assembly to steering knuckle bolts.
6. Remove disc brake caliper assembly from steering knuckle. Caliper is removed by first lifting bottom of caliper away from steering knuckle, and then removing top of caliper out from under steering knuckle.

Supporting Brake Caliper:

7. Support brake caliper/adapter assembly using a wire hook, not by the brake flex hose.
8. Remove braking disc from front hub.
9. Remove nut attaching outer tie rod end to steering knuckle. Nut is to be removed from tie rod end using the following procedure: Hold tie rod end stud with a 11/32 socket while loosening and removing nut.

Tie Rod End Removal From Steering Knuckle:

10. Remove the tie rod end stud from steering knuckle arm using Special Tool MB-991113.

Removing Steering Knuckle Clamp Bolt:

11. Remove nut and bolt retaining ball joint stud into steering knuckle.

NOTE: Use caution when separating ball joint stud from steering knuckle, so ball joint seal does not get damaged.

Separate Ball Joint Stud From Steering Knuckle:

12. Separate ball joint stud from steering knuckle by prying down on lower control arm.

NOTE: Care must be taken not to separate the inner C/V joint during this operation. Do not allow driveshaft to hang by inner C/V joint, driveshaft must be supported.

13. Remove the hub and bearing to stub axle retaining nut.

Puller Installed On Hub/Bearing Assembly:

14. Install Puller, 6790 on hub and bearing assembly, using wheel lug nuts to secure it in place.

Removing Stub Axle From Hub/Bearing:

15. Install a wheel lug nut on wheel stud to protect the threads on the stud. Install a flat blade pry tool to keep hub from turning. Using Puller, force the outer stub axle from the hub and bearing assembly.

Steering Knuckle Separation From Driveshaft:

16. Pull steering knuckle assembly out and away from outer C/V joint of the driveshaft assembly.
17. Support outer end of the driveshaft assembly.

NOTE: Removal of the inner tripod joints is made easier if you apply outward pressure on the joint as you strike the punch with a hammer.

Disengaging Right Inner Tripod Joint From Transaxle:

Disengaging Left Inner Tripod Joint From Transaxle:

18. Remove the inner tripod joints from the side gears of the transaxle using a punch to dislodge the inner tripod joint retaining ring from the transaxle side gear. If removing the right side inner tripod joint, position the punch against the inner tripod joint. Strike the punch sharply with a hammer to dislodge the right inner joint from the side gear. If removing the left side inner tripod joint, position the punch in the groove of the inner tripod joint. Strike the punch sharply with a hammer to dislodge the left inner tripod joint from the side gear.

Tripod Joint Removal From Transaxle:

19. Hold inner tripod joint and interconnecting shaft of driveshaft assembly. Remove inner tripod joint from transaxle by pulling it straight out of transaxle side gear and transaxle oil seal. When removing tripod joint, do not let spline or snap ring drag across sealing lip of the transaxle to tripod joint oil seal.