CV axle removal

The procedure is covered in this article:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/replace-cv-axle

This job on your car is a little simpler in that the shaft doesn't use the inner bearing bolted to the transmission. The CV joint just slides in and out. But it is more complicated by the need for special tools. All other manufacturers gave up on this wheel bearing design by the late '80s. This job takes about 15 - 20 minutes on a GM or Chrysler product. This model calls for 0.9 hours.

The most common mistakes with this job have to do with that axle nut. It must be tightened to specs with a click-type torque wrench, and it absolutely must be tightened before any vehicle weight is set down on the tire. Failure to do either of those will instantly make the wheel bearing noisy. Many do-it-yourselfers set the vehicle on the tire to hold the axle shaft from spinning when they try to tighten the nut. Instead, just drop a punch or screwdriver into one of the cooling slots in the rotor before the wheel is installed, then tighten the nut. The torque spec is 199 foot pounds.

In this application, a new axle nut is required. They're a "one-time-use" nut that is designed to stretch as it is tightened. The new shaft should come with a new nut.

Removal

All vehicles

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist.

2. Remove the RH wheel and tire.

3. Remove and discard the wheel hub nut.

4. NOTICE: Do not use a prying device or separator fork between the ball joint and the wheel knuckle. Damage to the ball joint or ball joint seal may result. Only use the pry bar by inserting it into the lower arm body opening.

NOTICE: Use care when releasing the lower arm and wheel knuckle into the resting position or damage to the ball joint seal may occur.

Remove and discard the ball joint nut and bolt.

- Insert a pry bar in the lower arm body opening and separate the ball joint from the wheel knuckle.

5. NOTICE: The inner joint must not be bent more than 18 degrees. The outer joint must not be bent more than 45 degrees. Damage to the halfshaft will occur.

Using the Front Wheel Hub Remover, press out the halfshaft from the wheel hub and detach the RH halfshaft from the wheel hub.

- Support the halfshaft assembly.

6. Remove the brake hose retainer.

Automatic transmission vehicles

7. Remove and discard the retaining strap and 2 nuts.

Manual transmission vehicles

8. Remove and discard the 3 bracket-to-block bolts.

All vehicles

9. Remove the RH halfshaft assembly.

Installation

All vehicles

1. Install the RH halfshaft assembly into the transmission.

Automatic transmission vehicles

2. NOTE: Install a new retaining strap and 2 nuts on the intermediate shaft bearing.

Install the RH halfshaft assembly into the transmission.

1. Tighten the lower nut to 5 Nm (44 lb-in).

2. Tighten the upper nut to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

3. Tighten the lower nut to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

Manual transmission vehicles

NOTE: Insert the halfshaft assembly into the transmission until the intermediate shaft bearing contacts the rib of the intermediate shaft bracket.

3. Install the halfshaft assembly into the transmission.

4. Install the 3 new bracket bolts to the engine block.
- Tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).

All vehicles

5. Using the Halfshaft Installer, install the RH halfshaft into the wheel hub.

6. NOTICE: Make sure the ball joint heat shield is installed on the ball joint stud or damage to the ball joint may occur.

Insert the ball joint stud into the wheel knuckle and install a new bolt and nut.

- Tighten to 63 Nm (46 lb-ft).

7. NOTICE: Do not tighten the wheel hub nut with the vehicle on the ground. The nut must be tightened to specification before the vehicle is lowered onto the wheels. Wheel bearing damage will occur if the wheel bearing is loaded with the weight of the vehicle applied.

NOTICE: Install and tighten the new wheel hub nut to specification in a continuous rotation. Always install a new wheel hub nut after loosening or when not tightened to specification in a continuous rotation or damage to the components may occur.

NOTE: Apply the brake to keep the halfshaft from rotating.

Install a new wheel hub nut.
- Tighten to 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) in a continuous rotation.

8. Install the brake hose retainer.

9. Install the RH wheel and tire.

10. Top off the transmission fluid level.