Service Manual2007 Captiva FRONT DRIVE AXLE

SECTION 3A

FRONT DRIVE AXLE

SPECIFICATIONS

Fastener Tightening Specifications

Application	N•m	Lb-Ft	Lb-In
Axle Shaft Caulking Hub Nut	205	157	-
Outer Tie Rod Nut	50	37	-
Lower Ball Joint Nut	10	-	89
Wheel Nuts	125	92	-
Intermediate Axle Shaft Mounting Bracket Bolts	70	52	-

SPECIAL TOOLS

Special Tools Table

	J-8059 Snap Ring Pliers
	J-35566 Seal Clamp Pliers

KM-460-A

Axle Shaft Remover

COMPONENT LOCATOR

Front Drive Axle

Inboard Seal Kit
Inboard Seal Kit
Outboard Joint Kit
Outboard Seal Kit

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

ON-VEHICLE SERVICE

Drive Axle Assembly

Tools Required

KM-507-B Ball Joint Separator

KM-460-A Axle Shaft Remover

Removal Procedure

Raise and suitable support the vehicle.
Remove the wheels. Refer to Section 2E, Tires and Wheels.
Remove the hub nut.

Remove the lower ball joint nut and pin.
Separate the steering knuckle from the lower ball joint.

Remove the outer tie rod nut.
Separate the outer tie rod end using the ball joint separator KM-507-B.

Remove the drive axle from the intermediate axle shaft using the axle shaft remover KM-460-A.

Important : Support the unfastened end of the drive axle. Do not allow the drive axle to dangle freely from the transaxle for any length of time after it has been removed from the wheel hub.

Important : Place a drain pan below the transaxle to catch the escaping fluid. Cap the transaxle drive opening after the drive axle has been removed to keep the fluid in and any contamination out.

Remove the intermediate axle shaft mounting bracket to engine block bolts and the shaft from the transaxle.

Installation Procedure

Notice : Do not damage the seals.

Clean the hub seal and the transaxle seal.
Install the intermediate axle shaft into the transaxle.

Tighten

Tighten the intermediate axle shaft mounting bracket to engine block bolts to 70 N•m (52 lb-ft).

Install the drive axle into the intermediate axle shaft.
Install the wheel hub onto the axle shaft.
Mount the steering knuckle onto the lower ball joint.

Install the outer tie rod into the knuckle/strut and install the outer tie rod nut.

Tighten

Tighten the outer tie rod nut to 50 N•m (37 lb-ft).

Install the lower ball joint nut and pin.

Tighten

Tighten the lower ball joint nut to 10 N•m (81 lb-in).

Tighten the hub nut to 205 N•m (157 lb-ft).
Install the wheels. Loosely install the nuts. Refer to Section 2E, Tires and Wheels.
Lower the vehicle to the floor.

Tighten

Tighten the wheel nuts to 125 N•m (92 lb-ft).

Refill the transaxle fluid to the proper level. Refer to Section 5A and 5B, Automatic/Manual Transaxle.

UNIT REPAIR

Outer Joint Seal

Tools Required

J-8059 Snap Ring Pliers

J-35566 Seal Clamp Pliers

Removal Procedure

Remove the drive axle from the vehicle. Refer to "Drive Axle Assembly"in this section.
Remove the large seal retaining clamp. Discard the clamp.
Remove the small seal retaining clamp. Discard the clamp.

Degrease the joint.
Spread the snap ring using the snap ring pliers J-8059 and remove the outer joint from the axle shaft.

Caution : Do not disassemble the outer joint assembly. Parts are match fit and cannot be serviced separately. Improper reassembly will adversely affect both performance and safety.

Remove the seal from the joint assembly.

Installation Procedure

Install the seal onto the axle shaft.
Spread the snap ring using the snap ring pliers J-8059 and install the outer joint onto the axle shaft.
Fill the joint seal with 170 to 190 g (6.0 to 6.7 ounces) of the recommended grease. Repack the joint with 170 to 190 g (6.0 to 6.7 ounces) of the recommended grease.

Install a new large seal retaining clamp and a new small seal retaining clamp.
Crimp the new small seal retaining clamp and the new large seal retaining clamp using the seal clamp pliers J-35566.
Install the drive axle shaft to the vehicle. Refer to “Drive Axle Assembly” in this section.

Inner Joint Seal

Tools Required

J-8059 Snap Ring Pliers

J-35566 Seal Clamp Pliers

Removal Procedure

Remove the drive axle from the vehicle. Refer to "Drive Axle Assembly" in this section.
Remove the large seal retaining clamp. Discard the clamp.
Remove the small seal retaining clamp. Discard the clamp.

Pry the retaining ring from the joint housing.
Remove the joint housing from the seal.

Degrease the joint assembly.
Remove the shaft retaining ring using the snap ring pliers J-8059.

Remove the joint and the joint retaining ring from the axle shaft.
Remove the seal from the axle shaft.

Installation Procedure

Install a new small seal retaining clamp onto the seal. Do not crimp the seal retaining clamp.
Install the seal onto the axle shaft.
Install the joint retaining ring and the joint onto the axle shaft.

Install the shaft retaining ring onto the axle shaft using the snap ring pliers J-8059.

Fill the joint housing with 140 to 160 g (5.0 to 5.6 ounces) of the recommended grease. Repack the tripot with 140 to 160 g (5.0 to 5.6 ounces) of the recommended grease.
Install the retaining ring and the joint housing onto the joint assembly.

Install a new large seal retaining clamp. Crimp the large seal retaining clamp using the seal clamp pliers J-35566.
Crimp the new small seal retaining clamp using the seal clamp pliers J-35566.
Install the drive axle shaft to the vehicle. Refer to "Drive Axle Assembly" in this section.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND SYSTEM OPERATION

Front Drive Axle

General Description

Drive axles are flexible shaft assemblies that transmit rotational force from the transaxle to the front-wheel assemblies. Each axle assembly consists of an inner and an outer constant-velocity joint connected to an axle shaft. The inner joint is completely flexible and has the ability to move in and out. The outer joint is also flexible, but it cannot move in and out.