Remove the hubcap and, for alloy wheels, pull off the center cap using the pulling hook from the vehicle tool kit. Loosen the flange bolt or 12-point drive axle nut a maximum of 90° with the vehicle standing on its wheels, as these are accessible through the center of the wheel after removing the center cap. Raise the car enough to relieve the load on the front wheels and support it safely. Have an assistant press the brake pedal to prevent the wheel from turning, then remove the flange bolt or 12-point nut from the drive axle. Remove the wheel and raise the vehicle high enough to allow access underneath, ensuring it is safely supported. Remove the mounting bolts and protective cover above the axle boot if applicable, then unbolt the drive axle from the transmission flange, rotating the axle to access the remaining mounting bolts. If the drive axle does not have the shown mounting bolts, consult the relevant information for drive axles with splines on the inner joint. Use wire or heavy-duty zip ties to temporarily suspend the axle from the body, avoiding letting it hang unsupported to prevent damage to the inner joint. Mark the positions of the
Ball Joint lower mounting nuts and remove them, then take off the
Control Arm from the ball joint. Press the drive axle out of the wheel bearing housing, using a press tool if necessary, especially for bonded axles. For drive axles with splines on the inner joint, place an aluminum wedge between the transmission housing and the inner triple roller joint, then force the drive axle out of the transmission with a firm blow to the wedge tool. Replace the circlip on the end of the joint body if it was removed, and then remove the drive axle from the vehicle. Before installation, clean the splines of the drive axle and check the axle boots for damage or cracks, replacing them as necessary. Install components in reverse order of removal, applying locking fluid to the outer spline for bonded axles. Install a new 12-point nut or flange bolt as far as possible by hand, lower the vehicle if necessary, and have an assistant press the brake pedal to keep the drive axle from turning. Tighten the 12-point nut or flange bolt to the initial torque specification, then install the wheel without the center cap and tighten the lug bolts to the initial torque specification using a diagonal pattern. Lower the vehicle so that the weight is resting on the wheels, then tighten the wheel lugs to the final torque specification and tighten the 12-point nut or flange bolt for the drive axle to the final torque specification.