Drive Shaft, Front Axle Removal / Installation

1. With the vehicle in NEUTRAL, position it on a hoist. See LIFTING .
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. See WHEEL AND TIRE .
   CAUTION:

   • Do not reuse the torque prevailing design hub nut and washer assembly.
3. Remove and discard the hub nut and washer assembly.
   Fig 1: Hub Nut And Washer Assembly with Torque Specification

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
   CAUTION:

   • Do not allow the disc brake caliper to hang suspended from the brake hose. Provide a suitable support.
4. Remove the front disc brake caliper, anchor plate, and pads as an assembly and position the assembly aside.
5. Remove brake disc.
   CAUTION:

   • Do not use a hammer to separate the outboard CV joint from the wheel hub. Damage to the outboard CV joint stub shaft threads and internal CV joint components may result.
6. Using the front wheel hub remover SST, separate the outboard CV joint from the wheel hub. Remove the SST.
   Fig 2: Removing Outboard CV Joint From Wheel Hub Using Special Tool (205-D070)

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
7. Support the lower suspension arm.
8. Remove the nut and bolt retaining upper ball joint to the front wheel knuckle.
   Fig 3: Upper Ball Joint Retaining Nut And Bolt

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
9. Remove the outboard front wheel driveshaft and joint from the wheel hub.
   1. Rotate the front wheel knuckle.
   2. Compress the outboard front wheel driveshaft and joint.
   3. Remove the outboard front wheel driveshaft and joint from the hub.
   Fig 4: Removing Outboard Front Wheel Driveshaft And Joint From Hub

   Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
10. Using CV Joint Puller SST (205-241) and Impact Slide Hammer SST (49-0223-630B), separate the front wheel axle shaft from the front axle housing.
    Fig 5: Separating Front Wheel Axle Shaft From Front Axle Housing

    Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
    CAUTION:

    • Do not damage the axle seal.
11. Remove the drive axle shaft and joint assembly from the vehicle with both hands.
    CAUTION:

    • Install the drive axle shaft and joint assembly with a new hub nut and washer assembly.
    CAUTION:

    • Do not use power or impact tools to tighten the hub nut and washer assembly.
    CAUTION:

    • Install a new retainer circlip in the groove in the LH inboard CV joint housing stub shaft before installing the drive axle shaft and joint assembly in the vehicle. To prevent the new retainer circlip from over-expanding when installing it, start one end in the groove and work the circlip over the shaft and into the groove.
12. To install, reverse the removal procedure.

Fig 6: Retainer Circlip

Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.