Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, do not allow the weight of the vehicle to load the front wheels, or attempt to operate the vehicle, when the wheel drive shaft(s) or wheel drive shaft nut(s) are removed. To do so may cause the inner bearing race to separate, resulting in damage to brake and suspension components and loss of vehicle control.

Notice: Wheel drive shaft boots, seals and clamps should be protected from sharp objects any time service is performed on or near the wheel drive shaft(s). Damage to the boot(s), the seal(s) or the clamp(s) may cause lubricant to leak from the joint and lead to increased noise and possible failure of the wheel drive shaft.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.



4. Remove the front wheel drive shaft nut (2). Insert a drift or a flat-bladed tool (1) into the caliper and the rotor to prevent the rotor from turning.
5. Disconnect the outer tie rod assembly from the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.
6. Separate the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.
7. Separate the front wheel drive axle from the front wheel drive shaft bearing using the J 42129 . The nut can be partially re-installed to protect the threads.



8. Remove the front wheel drive axle from the transaxle.

•	Right Side:

•	Remove the top and front transaxle brace bolts to gain access for the J 33008-A . Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement in Automatic Transaxle -4T65-E.

•	Use the J 33008-A , the J 29794 and the J 2619-01 to separate the axle (2) from the transaxle.

•	Left Side :

•	Use the J 33008-A , the J 29794 and the J 2619-01 to separate the axle (1) from the transaxle.

1. Install the front wheel drive axle (1, 2) into the transaxle.

•	Verify that the front wheel drive shaft retaining ring is properly seated.

•	Grasp the inner housing and pull the inner housing outward. Do not pull on the front wheel drive axle shaft.

•	The front wheel drive axle will remain in place when the front wheel drive shaft retaining ring is properly seated.

2. For the right side, install the top and front transaxle brace bolts. Refer to Transmission Brace Replacement in Automatic Transaxle -4T65-E.
3. Install the front wheel drive axle into the front wheel drive shaft bearing.
4. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.
5. Connect the outer tie rod assembly to the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

6. Install a new front wheel drive shaft nut. Insert a drift or a flat-bladed tool into the caliper and the rotor to prevent the rotor from turning.

Tighten
Tighten the front wheel drive shaft nut to 160 N·m (118 lb ft).

7. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
8. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Inspect the transaxle fluid level.
11. Inspect the wheel alignment. Refer to Wheel Alignment Specifications and Wheel Alignment Measurement in Wheel Alignment.