Removal (Colt Vista 4WD)
- Remove cotter pin and loosen axle shaft nut with brakes applied. Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheels. Remove axle shaft nut and washer. Support control arm. Remove nut and separate ball joint connection at control arm.
- Disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Disconnect stabilizer bar and strut bar from control arm. Remove strut bar.
- On left axle shaft, remove snap ring from center bearing bracket. See Fig 1 . On all axle applications, use puller attached to hub and press axle shaft from hub. Swing hub and steering knuckle out of the way.
- On right axle shaft, install 2 screwdrivers between transaxle and axle shaft. Pry axle shaft from transaxle. DO NOT damage transaxle oil seal. On left axle shaft, lightly tap on DOJ outer race to disconnect axle shaft from Cardan joint assembly. See Fig 1 . Remove axle shaft assembly.
- Remove center bearing bracket bolts. Lightly tap on Cardan joint assembly to remove from transaxle. Using Handle (C-3893) and Adapter Installer (MB990930), remove dust seal from center bearing bracket.CAUTION: DO NOT pull on axle shafts during removal or damage to shaft assembly will result. DO NOT pry Cardan joint assembly from transaxle or damage to dust cover may exist.