Half Shaft - Installation

INSTALLATION

NOTE: The inner tripod joints are designed with a retention feature that prevents the tripod rollers from coming out of the inner joint housing up to a specific load. If this feature is overcome and any of the rollers are pulled past the retention feature the joint will "lock-up" and no longer function properly. The entire halfshaft assembly must be replaced if this occurs.





1. Thoroughly clean the spline and oil seal sealing surface on tripod joint.
2. Lightly lubricate oil seal sealing surface on tripod joint with fresh clean transmission lubricant.
3. Holding halfshaft assembly by the tripod joint and interconnecting shaft, install tripod joint into transaxle side gear as far as possible by hand. Be sure to engage splines prior to applying force.

NOTE: Attempt to remove tripod joint by hand to verify that the snap ring is fully engaged. If snap ring is fully engaged, tripod joint will not be removable from transmission by hand.

4. Push the tripod joint into the transaxle side gear, until snap-ring is fully engaged.

5. Clean all debris and moisture at the bearing hub where the outer CV joint will be installed into steering knuckle assembly.
6. Install the outer CV joint to the bearing hub.
7. Slide half shaft back into front hub and bearing assembly.





NOTE: Before tightening the bolts, press the knuckle toward the vehicle to achieve the most negative camber. If this is not done, it is possible to have positive camber which will negatively impact vehicle handling.

8. Position the lower end of the strut assembly in line with the upper end of the knuckle (3), aligning the mounting holes. Install the two mounting bolts (4) from the front side of the vehicle.
9. Install the nuts (2) on the two bolts (4). While holding the bolts in place, tighten the nuts to 75 Nm (55 ft. lbs.).





10. Install the outer tie rod (5) ball stud into the hole in the knuckle (3) arm. Start the tie rod end-to-knuckle nut (4) onto the stud. While holding the tie rod end stud with a wrench, tighten the nut with a wrench or crowfoot wrench to 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.).





11. Install the wheel speed sensor head (2) into the knuckle. Install the mounting screw (1) and tighten it to 12 Nm (106 in. lbs.).






NOTE: Always install a new hub nut. The original hub nut is one-time use only and must be discarded when removed.

12. Clean all foreign matter from the threads of the halfshaft stub shaft.
13. Install a NEW hub nut on the end of the halfshaft stub shaft. While a helper applies the brakes to keep the hub from rotating, use a 12 point thin-walled 36mm Craftsman(R) socket (or equivalent) to tighten the hub nut to 310 Nm (229 ft. lbs.).






NOTE: The hub nut must be staked so that it looks similar to Figure 1. The edge must be split and bent into the shape shown (3). The staking prevents the nut from coming off the vehicle while it is being operated. The staking must be in the opposite direction from the forward rotation of the wheel.

14. Perform staking procedure.





15. Install the tire and wheel assembly Tires And Wheels - Installation.





16. Install the cross car cradle brace (1). Tighten the bolts to 90 Nm (66 ft. lbs.).
17. Check for correct fluid level in transaxle assembly Service and Repair.
18. If equipped, install the engine belly pan Belly Pan - Installation.
19. Lower the vehicle.