Drive/Propeller Shaft: Service and Repair

NOTICE: When performing operations which involve the removal and installation of the propeller shaft, always check the joint angle. Make adjustments if necessary.






REMOVAL
1. Remove exhaust front pipe.
2. Remove heat insulator.
Remove the six bolts and the heat insulator.
3. Remove crossmember braces, as follows:
a. Remove the front center floor crossmember brace.
b. Remove the rear center floor crossmember brace.
4. Remove propeller shaft, as follows:





a. Using Special Service Tool (SST) 09922-10010 or equivalent, loosen the adjusting nut until it can be turned by hand.

NOTE: Use two of the same type of SST.





b. Place matchmarks on the transmission companion flange and flexible coupling.
c. Remove the three bolts installed from the transmission side.

NOTICE: The bolts installed from the propeller shaft side should not be removed.





d. Place matchmarks on the differential companion flange and flexible coupling.
e. Remove the three bolts installed from the differential side.

NOTICE: The bolts installed from the propeller shaft side should not be removed.





f. Separate the flexible couplings from the transmission and differential.

NOTE: If the flexible coupling can not be easily separated by hand, insert a screwdriver into the bolt hole of the flexible coupling as shown in the illustration, then pry the coupling out.

NOTICE: Do not bring the screwdriver blade in direct contact with the flexible coupling's rubber portion.





g. Remove the two center support bearing set bolts and the adjusting washers.

NOTE: Some vehicles are not equipped with an adjusting washer.

NOTICE: When removing the set bolts. support the center support bearing by hand so that the transmission and intermediate shaft, and propeller shaft and differential, remain in a straight line.

Maximum joint angle: 5°





h. Push the rear propeller shaft straight forward to compress the propeller shaft and pull out the propeller shaft from the centering pin of the differential.

NOTICE: Press the propeller shaft straight ahead to keep the transmission and intermediate shaft aligned straight.

i. Pull the propeller shaft out toward the vehicle's rear.

NOTICE: The intermediate shaft and propeller shaft should not be separated.

CENTER SUPPORT BEARING AND FLEXIBLE COUPLING INSPECTION
1. Inspect center support bearing, as follows:
a. Check for cracks in or damage to the cushion.





b. Check if the bearing turns smoothly. If the center support bearing is damaged, worn or does not turn smoothly, replace it.
2. Inspect flexible couplings.
- Check for cracks in or damage to the front and rear flexible couplings. If the flexible coupling is damaged, replace the propeller shaft assembly.





3. Inspect flexible coupling centering bushing.
- Check for damage to the bushing. If the bushing is damaged, replace the propeller shaft assembly.

INSTALLATION
1. Install propeller shaft, as follows:





a. Apply grease to the flexible coupling centering bushings.
Grease: Molybdenum disulfide lithium base. NLGI No. 2
b. Install the propeller shaft from the vehicle's rear and connect the transmission and differential.

NOTICE: Support the center support bearing by hand so that the transmission and intermediate shaft. and propeller shaft and differential, remain in a straight line.





c. Temporarily install the center support bearing set bolts with the adjusting washers.

NOTE: Use the adjusting washers which were removed.





d. Align the matchmarks and connect the propeller shaft to the transmission/differential.
e. Install the three bolts, washers and nuts.

NOTICE: Bolts should be installed from the transmission/differential side.

Torque: 72 Nm (53 ft. lbs.)
If using a new propeller shaft.





With Phasemarks.
- Install the propeller shaft phasemarks and differential/transmission phasemarks so that their respective alignment phasemarks match. If the propeller shaft phasemarks and differential/ transmission phasemarks do not align, install the propeller shaft and differential alignment phasemarks as close together as possible.
Without Phasemarks.
Install the propeller shaft.

f. Torque the center support bearing set bolts.
Torque: 37 Nm (27 ft. lbs.).





NOTE: Adjust the center support bearing to keep the intervals as shown with the vehicle in the unladen condition. Under the same condition, check if the center line of the center support bearing is at right angles to the shaft axial direction.





g. Using Special Service Tool (SST) 09922-10010 or equivalent, tighten the adjusting nut.
Torque: 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).

NOTE: Use a torque wrench with a fulcrum length of 34.5 cm (13.6 inch).

2. Inspect joint angle.

NOTICE: The joint angle should by all means be checked when the propeller shaft is removed and installed.

3. Install crossmember braces, as follows:
a. Install the front center floor crossmember brace and torque the four bolts.
Torque: 13 Nm (108 inch lbs.).
b. Install the rear center floor crossmember brace and torque the four bolts.
Torque: 13 Nm (108 inch lbs.).
4. Install heat insulator. Install the heat insulator and torque the six bolts.
Torque: 5.4 Nm (48 inch lbs.).
5. Install exhaust front pipe, as follows:
a. Install two new gaskets.
b. Connect the front pipe.
c. Install and torque the four bolts and new nuts.
Torque: 43 Nm (32 ft. lbs.).
d. Connect the oxygen sensor.

NOTE: When connecting the sensor, turn it clock wise about three times.

e. Tighten the sensors.
Torque: 44 Nm (33 ft. lbs.).

NOTICE: After installing the oxygen sensor, check that the wire is not twisted.

f. Connect the sensor grommets to the floor.