Tools Required

1. Raise and 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 and discard the wheel drive shaft spindle nut.

Notice: Hold the ball stud from turning when removing/installing the nut. The boot can become torn and damaged if the ball stud turns.

4. Remove the outer tie rod end-to-steering knuckle nut. Do not loosen the tie rod end jam nut.

Important: Do not use a wedge type tool to separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.




5. Using the SA91100C separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle.



6. Remove and discard the cotter pin from the lower ball joint stud.
7. Remove the ball joint stud nut.



8. Using the J 43828 separate the lower ball joint stud from the steering knuckle.



9. Using a backup wrench on the stud, remove the nut securing the lower stabilizer bar link and disengage the link.
10. Disengage the wheel drive shaft spindle from the wheel hub assembly. If necessary, place a wood block against the end of the wheel drive shaft spindle and tap with a hammer to aid removal.

Important: Use care not to damage the joint seal when removing the wheel drive shaft.




11. Assemble the J 45341 and the SA9173G to the wheel drive shaft inner tripot joint.

Important: On vehicles equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD), the stub shaft may disengage from the power takeoff unit (PTU). If necessary, cap the opening in the PTU to prevent fluid loss.

12. Disengage the wheel drive shaft from the transmission or power takeoff unit (PTU), if equipped.
13. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

1. Install a new wheel drive shaft retaining ring to the output shaft.



2. Install the SA91112T to the wheel drive shaft oil seal.



3. Install the wheel drive shaft to the output shaft:

•	Guide the wheel drive shaft tripot joint squarely onto the output shaft.

•	After the splined end of the wheel drive shaft passes the oil seal, remove the SA91112T from the oil seal.

•	Firmly engage the wheel drive shaft to the output shaft.

•	Ensure that the tripot joint is fully seated on the output shaft by grasping the tripot joint and attempting to pull free of the output shaft.




4. Insert the constant velocity (CV) joint spindle to the wheel hub/bearing assembly of the steering knuckle.
5. Hand install a new wheel drive shaft spindle nut.



6. Install the lower ball joint stud to the steering knuckle.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

7. Install the lower ball joint castle nut to the stud.

Tighten

•	Tighten the nut to 10 N·m (89 lb in).

•	Tighten the nut an additional 150 degrees.

8. Install the cotter pin to the ball joint stud.
9. If necessary, tighten the nut one additional flat at a time until the castle nut aligns with the hole in the ball joint stud.
10. Secure the cotter pin to the ball joint stud by folding one tine over the end of the ball joint stud.
11. Cut off any excess length of the cotter pin tines.



12. Install the lower link to the stabilizer bar.
13. Install a new nut to the stabilizer bar link stud.

Important: In order to prevent damaging the stabilizer bar link stud seal, do not allow the stud to rotate while tightening the nut.

14. Use a back up wrench on the stud and tighten the nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 65 N·m (48 lb ft).




15. Install the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
16. Using the J 44015 , pull the stud into steering knuckle.

Tighten
Tighten the J 44015 to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

17. Remove the J 44015 from the tie rod end stud.



18. Install a new nut to the tie rod end stud.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

19. Tighten the wheel drive shaft spindle nut.

Tighten
Tighten the nut to 205 N·m (151 lb ft).




20. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
21. Lower the vehicle.
22. Inspect the transmission fluid level. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check in Manual Transmission - Getrag 5 Speed or Transmission Fluid Check in Automatic Transmission - 5AT or Transmission Fluid Check in Automatic Transmission - VT25-E.