Spirit L4-153 2.5L SOHC Flex Fuel (1995)
REMOVAL
Inboard C/V joints have stub shafts splined into differential side gears, or splined into the intermediate shaft on right side of an equal length system.
Driveshafts are spring loaded and are retained to side gears by constant spring pressure provided by spring contained in C/V joints.
Do not move vehicle on it's wheels after hub nut is loosened, bearing damage will result.
1. Remove cotter pin, lock and spring washer, then the hub nut washer and wheel assembly.
2. Remove brake caliper and rotor as outlined under "Disc Brakes."
3. If removing the righthand driveshaft, speedometer pinion must be removed prior to driveshaft removal.
Fig.2 Speedometer Pinion Replacement
4. Remove cotter pin and retaining nut from tie rod end, then using tie rod end removing tool No. C-3894-A, or equivalent, remove tie rod end from
steering knuckle.
5. Remove clamp bolt securing ball joint clamp to steering knuckle, then separate ball joint stud from steering knuckle. Do not damage ball joint or
C/V joint boots.
6. Separate outer C/V joint splined shaft from hub by holding C/V housing while moving knuckle/hub assembly away from C/V joint. Do not
damage slinger on outer C/V joint. Do not attempt to remove, repair or replace.
7. Support axle assembly, then remove axle from differential by pulling outward on the inner C/V joint outer housing. Do not pull on shaft as inner
joint or boot damage may result. If clearance between driveshaft assembly and differential case allows, removal may be aided by inserting a
suitable pry bar between differential case and carefully prying against end face of stub.
8. Remove driveshaft assembly from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
1. Hold inner joint assembly at housing while aligning and guiding inner joint spline into transaxle. On equal length systems, ensure rubber washer
seal is in place on right inner C/V joint.
2. Push knuckle/hub assembly out and install splined outer C/V joint shaft into hub.
3. Install knuckle assembly on ball joint stud.
4. Install clamp bolt. Torque to 70 ft. lbs.
5. Install tie rod end into steering knuckle, then torque retaining nut to 35 ft. lbs. and install new cotter pin.
6. Install brake caliper and rotor as outlined under "Disc Brakes."
7. Install speedometer pinion.
8. Fill differential to bottom of filler plug hole with Dexron automatic transaxle fluid.
9. Install washer and hub nut. Torque hub nut to 180 ft. lbs. Install nut plate and cotter pin.
10. If, after attaching driveshaft assembly in vehicle, the inboard boot appears collapsed or deformed, vent the inner boot by inserting a round tipped,
small diameter rod between boot and shaft. As venting occurs, the boot will return to normal shape.
11. After installation of driveshaft, check driveshaft length as outlined under "Adjustments."
