Front Driveshaft Removal

Special Tools Required 

• Ball Joint Thread Protector, 14 mm 07AAE-SJAA100
• Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

1. Raise and support the vehicle (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Pry up the stake (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.
   Fig 1: Identifying Stake And Spindle Nut

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
4. Drain the transmission fluid, then reinstall the drain plug with a new sealing washer:
   • Manual transmission (see TRANSMISSION FLUID INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT )
   • Automatic transmission (see ATF REPLACEMENT )
5. Hold the stabilizer joint pin (A) using a hex wrench (B), and remove the flange nut (C). Separate the front stabilizer link (D) from the lower arm.
   Fig 2: Identifying Stabilizer Joint Pin, Hex Wrench, Flange Nut And Front Stabilizer Link

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
6. Remove the damper fork mounting nut (A), the damper fork mounting bolt (B), and the damper pinch bolt (C), then remove the damper fork (D).
   Fig 3: Identifying Damper Fork Mounting Nut, Bolt, Damper Pinch Bolt And Damper Fork

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the knuckle ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B). Separate the ball joint from the lower arm (C) using the 28 mm ball joint remover (D) and the 14 mm ball joint thread protector (E) (see BALL JOINT BOOT INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT ).
   NOTE:

   • Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover.
   • Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.
   Fig 4: Identifying Cotter Pin, Castle Nut, Lower Arm, Ball Joint Remover And Thread Protector

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Pull the knuckle outward, and separate the outboard joint from the front hub using a soft face hammer.
   Fig 5: Pulling Knuckle Outward And Separate Outboard Joint From Front Hub Using Soft Face Hammer

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
9. Remove exhaust pipe A.
   • Without SH-AWD (see EXHAUST PIPE AND MUFFLER REPLACEMENT )
   • With SH-AWD (see J37A4 ENGINE (WITH SH-AWD) )
10. Left driveshaft: Pry the inboard joint (A) from the differential using a pry bar. Remove the driveshaft as an assembly.
    NOTE:

    • Do not pull on the driveshaft (B), or the inboard joint may come apart. Pull the inboard joint straight out to avoid damaging the oil seal.
    • Be careful not to damage the oil seal or the end of the inboard joint with the pry bar.
    Fig 6: Prying Inboard Joint From Differential Using Pry Bar

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
11. Right driveshaft: Drive the inboard joint (A) off of the intermediate shaft using a drift punch and a hammer. Remove the driveshaft as an assembly.
    NOTE: Do not pull on the driveshaft (B), or the inboard joint may come apart.
    Fig 7: Driving Inboard Joint Off Of Intermediate Shaft Using Drift Punch And Hammer

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Remove the set ring (A) from the left driveshaft inboard joint.
    Fig 8: Identifying Set Ring

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
13. Remove the set ring (A) from the intermediate shaft.
    Fig 9: Identifying Set Ring

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.