Removal - left side
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Drain the oil from the front axle gearbox housing.
3. Remove the stabilizer bar links (early models) or suspension shock absorber (late models).
4. Loosen the bolts securing the wheel drive shaft to the axle shaft.
Caution: Suspend the wheel drive shaft with a wire to avoid excessive bending of the CV joint shaft.
5. Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the gearbox axle flange.
6. Using a hammer and a bronze drift, knock the axle shaft out of the gearbox housing.
7. Unscrew the nuts securing the bridge beam to the bracket.
8. Loosen the bolts securing the axle beam to the gearbox housing.
9. Remove the axle beam and axle shaft.
10. Remove the axle shaft from the beam.
11. Remove the axle shaft seal and bearing from the beam. On later models, discard the axle shaft gasket.
Installation - left side
1. Install new axle shaft bearing and seal into the axle beam.
2. Install the axle shaft into the beam, but not completely yet.
3. Apply sealant to the bridge beam mounting flange (early models) and a new gasket (late models).
4. Install the axle shaft and axle beam assembly onto the gearbox housing.
5. Install and tighten the axle beam mounting bolts. Tightening torque 40 Nm.
6. Tighten the axle beam mounting nuts to the bracket. Tightening torque 100 Nm.
7. Install the axle shaft into the gearbox housing:
- a) Rotate the axle shaft until the splines of the axle shaft and the differential side gear align.
- b) Using a hammer with a soft metal striker, seat the axle shaft into the gear until the retaining ring snaps into place.
- c) Pull the axle shaft outward and make sure that the retaining ring is securely locked.
8. Install the wheel drive shaft onto the axle flange
9. Tighten the wheel drive shaft mounting bolts. Tightening torque 75-80 N·m.
10. Install the stabilizer links or shock absorber.
11. Fill the axle housing with transmission oil.
12. Lower the vehicle.
Removal and installation - right side
1. Raise the vehicle.
2. Drain the oil from the front axle gearbox housing.
3. Loosen the bolts securing the wheel drive shaft to the axle shaft. Tightening torque 80 Nm.
Caution: Suspend the wheel drive shaft with a wire to avoid excessive bending of the CV joint shaft.
4. Using a hammer and a bronze drift, knock the axle shaft out of the gearbox housing.
5. Installation is carried out in reverse order.