Except Diesel And Turbo Models

Fig 1: Wheel And Tire Removal

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - WHEEL/TIRE ASSY.

2 - LUG NUT (5)

3 - HUB

CAUTION: Boot sealing is vital to retain special lubricants and to prevent foreign contaminants from entering the CV joint. Mishandling, such as allowing the assemblies to dangle unsupported, or pulling or pushing the ends can cut boots or damage CV joints. During removal and installation procedures, always support both ends of the halfshaft to prevent damage.

CAUTION: The halfshaft, when installed, acts as a bolt and secures the front hub/bearing assembly. If vehicle is to be supported or moved on its wheels with a halfshaft removed, install a PROPER-SIZED BOLT AND NUT through front hub. Tighten bolt and nut to 244 N.m (180 ft. lbs.). This will ensure that the hub bearing cannot loosen.

Disconnect battery negative cable.
Place transaxle in gated park.
Raise vehicle on hoist.

Remove wheel and tire assembly (1). See Fig 1.

Fig 2: Halfshaft Retaining Hardware

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - COTTER PIN

2 - WASHER

3 - HUB NUT

4 - SPRING WASHER

5 - NUT LOCK

Remove the cotter pin (1), nut lock (5), spring washer (4), and hub nut (3) from the end of the outer C/V joint stub axle. See Fig 2.

Fig 3: Steering Knuckle At Lower Control Arm Ball Joint
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - NUT

2 - BOLT

3 - BALL JOINT
If equipped with ABS, disconnect the front wheel speed sensor and secure harness out of the way.

Remove nut and bolt (1,2) retaining ball joint stud (3) into steering knuckle. See Fig 3.

Fig 4: Separating Lower Control Arm From Steering Knuckle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - STEERING KNUCKLE

2 - PRY BAR

3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM

4 - BALL JOINT STUD

NOTE: Use caution when separating ball joint stud from steering knuckle, so ball joint seal does not get damaged.

Separate ball joint stud (4) from steering knuckle (1) by prying down on lower control arm (3). See Fig 4.

Fig 5: Separating Halfshaft From Hub/Bearing
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - PULLER 1026

2 - HALFSHAFT

NOTE: Care must be taken not to separate the inner CV joint during this operation. Do not allow halfshaft to hang by inner CV joint, halfshaft must be supported.
Remove halfshaft (2) from steering knuckle by pulling outward on knuckle while pressing in on halfshaft. Support outer end of halfshaft assembly. If difficulty in separating halfshaft from hub is encountered, See Fig 5. DO NOT strike shaft with hammer, instead use Puller 1026 (1) to separate.

Fig 6: Applying Grease To Clean Face Of Outer CV Joint
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Support outer end of the halfshaft assembly. See Fig 6.

Fig 7: Disengaging Left Inner Tripod Joint from Transaxle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER

2 - PUNCH

3 - TRANSAXLE

4 - HALFSHAFT INNER TRIPOD JOINT

5 - NOTCH

NOTE: Removal of the inner tripod joints is made easier if you apply outward pressure on the joint as you strike the punch with a hammer. DO NOT pull on interconnecting shaft to remove, as the inner joint will become separated.

Remove the inner tripod joints (4) from the side gears of the transaxle using a punch (2) to dislodge the inner tripod joint retaining ring from the transaxle side gear. If removing the right side inner tripod joint, position the punch to the inner tripod joint extraction groove (5) (if equipped). Strike the punch sharply with a hammer to dislodge the right inner joint from the side gear. If removing the left side inner tripod joint, position the punch to the inner tripod joint extraction groove. Strike the punch sharply with a hammer to dislodge the left inner tripod joint from the side gear. See Fig 7.

Fig 8: Tripod Joint Removal From Transaxle

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - INNER TRIPOD JOINT

2 - TRANSAXLE

3 - SPLINE

4 - OIL SEAL

5 - SNAP RING

6 - INTERCONNECTING SHAFT

Hold inner tripod joint (1) and interconnecting shaft (6) of halfshaft assembly. Remove inner tripod joint from transaxle by pulling it straight out of transaxle side gear and transaxle oil seal (4). See Fig 8. When removing tripod joint, do not let spline or snap ring drag across sealing lip of the transaxle to tripod joint oil seal. When tripod joint is removed from transaxle, some fluid will leak out.