Left Drive Axle, Removing And Installing: Removing

-- Loosen drive axle bolt on the wheel hub. Refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Remove the wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Remove the noise insulation. Refer to OVERVIEW - NOISE INSULATION .

Vehicle with Level Control System Sensor:

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-- If equipped, remove the stone chip protection (refer to LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT ) or the air duct (refer to LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT ).

-- Remove the nut -1- and free up the lever -2- for the level control system sensor on the control arm -3-.

Drive Axle Bolted on the Transmission Flange Shaft:

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and pivot the drive axle upward.

-- Push the wheel bearing housing to the left.

-- Pull the drive axle out of the wheel hub.

Drive Axle Inserted in the Transmission:

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-- Vehicle with Sport suspension: lower the suspension strut. Refer to SUSPENSION STRUT, LOWERING .

-- Remove the nuts -arrows-.

-- Remove the control arm from the ball joint.

• Make sure the ball joint rubber boot is not damaged during assembly work. If necessary protect the ball joint rubber boot against damage.

-- Place the Drive Axle Wedge Tool:T10161  -1- between the transmission housing and the triple roller joint.

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-- Using a rubber hammer, hit the triple roller joint on the Drive Axle Wedge Tool and remove it from the transmission.

Continuation for All Vehicles:

• If the components cannot be separated, press the drive axle out of the wheel bearing. Refer to DRIVE AXLE, PRESSING OUT OF WHEEL BEARING .

-- Remove the drive axle.