FRONT DRIVE AXLE

Axle Shaft, Bearing and Seal

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

1. Raise and safely support the front of the vehicle securely on jackstands.
2. If equipped, remove the speed sensor.
3. Remove the front brake caliper and disc.
4. Place a dial indicator near the center of the axle hub and check the backlash in the bearing shaft direction. maximum is 0.0020 inch (0.05mm). If the specification is greater than the specified amount, replace the hub.

   Fig. 2: Place a dial indicator near the center of the axle hub and check the backlash in the bearing shaft direction

5. Install the brake disc and caliper, the remove the cotter in and lock cap.
6. Have an assistant apply the brakes and remove the nut.
7. Remove the caliper and disc.
8. Loosen the 2 nuts on the lower side of the shock absorber.

   NOTE: Do not remove the bolts!

9. Loosen the bolts for the lower ball joint. Once again, do not remove them.
10. Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Discard the cotter pin.

    NOTE: A puller will be needed to separate the tie rod end from the knuckle.

11. Remove the 2 bolts on the lower ball joint and disconnect the steering knuckle.
    1. Remove the 2 nuts and bolts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
    2. Remove the steering knuckle with the axle hub.

       NOTE: Be careful not to damage the speed sensor rotor (on models with ABS), oil seal and drive shaft boot.

12. Using a puller, remove the axle hub.
13. With a press, remove the bearing from the axle hub. Remove the oil seal from the axle hub.

    Fig. 3: Removing the bearing from the axle hub

14. Remove the 3 bolts and dust cover. Carefully pry the dust deflector out of the knuckle. Next, with a puller, remove the inner oil seal.
15. Using snap ring pliers, remove the snap ring. Place the outer bearing above the outer race on the outer side. Press the bearing out.

    Fig. 4: Removing the outer bearing from the steering knuckle

    To assemble:

16. Press the bearing into the steering knuckle. If the inner race comes loose from the bearing outer race, be sure to install them on the same side as before.
    1. Using snap ring pliers, install the snap ring.
17. Place the outer bearing into position, then using a hammer carefully tap the new oil seal until it is flush with the end surface of the steering knuckle.

    Fig. 5: Tap the outer seal into position until it is flush with the end surface of the knuckle

18. Install the dust cover with 3 bolts.
19. Using the press, install the axle hub.
20. Tap the new outer seal into the steering knuckle.
21. Tap a new dust deflector into position.

    Fig. 6: Tapping in a new dust deflector

22. Position the steering knuckle.

    NOTE: Be careful not to damage the speed sensor rotor on models with ABS and the oil seal and driveshaft boot.

    1. Install; the 2 bolts and temporarily tighten the nut.
    2. Temproarily install the 2 bolts and connect the steering knuckle and lower ball joint.
23. Attach the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Be sure to use a new cotter pin. Tighten the tie rod end nut to 36 ft. lbs. (49 Nm).
24. Tighten the 2 nuts on the lower side of the shock absorber to 231 ft. lbs. (314 Nm).
    1. Tighten the 2 bolts on the lower ball joint to 94 ft. lbs. (127 Nm).
25. Install the brake disc and caliper.
26. While a helper is applying the brakes, tighten the drive shaft locknut to:
    • 1991 — 137 ft lbs. (186 Nm)
    • 1992–93 models — 166 ft. lbs. (226 Nm)
    • 1994–97 models — 152 ft. lbs. (206 Nm)
    1. Install the lock cap and new cotter pin.
27. On models with a ABS speed sensor, secure the sensor to 69 inch lbs. (8 Nm).
28. Install the front wheel, hand tighten the lugnuts and lower the vehicle.
29. tighten the lugnuts to specifications.
30. Check the front end alignment.