Drive shafts — removal and installation

Pre-disassembly - all models

Note: On models with automatic transmission, remove the right drive shaft first, then the left. On manual transmission models this is recommended but not required

1. Apply the handbrake, engage reverse gear (manual transmission) or "R" (automatic). Cars with steel wheels

2. Remove the wheel cap and center cover. Remove the black plastic plug (if available) from the end of the drive shaft, remove the shaft nut pin. Remove the locking ring and soft pad. Loosen the nut, but do not unscrew it completely.

3. Loosen the wheel nuts and lift the front of the car. Remove the wheel, unscrew the drive shaft nut, and remove the metal spacer.

Cars with alloy wheels

4. Loosen the wheel nuts and lift the front of the car. Remove the wheel. Remove the black plastic plug (if available) from the end of the shaft, remove the shaft nut pin, remove the locking ring and soft spacer (photo).






5. Block the rotation of the hub by pressing the brake pedal and unscrew the drive shaft nut. Remove the metal gasket (photo). If the brake system pressure is unable to stop the hub from rotating, install the wheel temporarily (removing the central cover), lower the vehicle to the ground and loosen the drive shaft nut. Jack up the car and support it on axle stands. Remove the wheel, drive shaft nut and metal washer.

All cars

6. Remove the pin, unscrew the outer tie rod ball joint lock nut, then separate the ball joint from the hub fastener using a universal ball joint separator tool.


7. Open the hood, loosen the suspension strut upper mounting nuts one or two turns (photo).



8. Unscrew the three nuts from the bottom of the hub fastening element and remove the installation plate (photo) and sharply pull the hub fastener out of the shaft grooves. Note that on later models, a dust shield is installed on the outer end of the drive shaft. Be careful not to stretch or kink the flexible brake line (photo). Tie the strut assembly to the hub fastener and brake caliper, disconnected from the drive shaft.






9. Drain the transmission oil.

10. The removal procedure now differs slightly depending on the model and transmission.

1.6 liter models

11. Remove the right drive shaft. To do this, insert a suitable lever between the inner CV joint housing and the clutch housing (see fig. 8.2), to disconnect the drive shaft from the differential sun gear. Remove the drive shaft assembly.



12. Remove the left drive shaft. To do this, insert a suitable lever between the inner CV joint housing and the transmission housing (do not damage the big oil seal on this side), to disconnect the drive shaft from the differential sun gear. (See fig. 8.3). Remove the drive shaft assembly.

Models 1.8 and 2.0 liters with manual transmission

13. Before removing the right drive shaft, first remove the three bolts securing the carrier bearing housing to the suspension (photo). Separate the housing from the suspension by rotating it with both hands until a gap is formed into which a suitable lever can be inserted. Remove the drive shaft using a lever (see fig. 8.4 and photo).







14. If it is necessary to remove the carrier bearing hanger, remove the four bolts that secure the hanger to the rear of the cylinder block. They are extremely difficult to access and may require partial or complete disassembly of the entire rear engine mount to get to them.

15. To remove the left drive shaft, continue as described in step 12 (and rice 8.3) higher.

1.8 and 2.0 liter models with automatic transmission

16. To remove the right drive shaft, continue as described in step 13 (and rice 8.4) higher.

17. To remove the left drive shaft, the right drive shaft must be removed first. Insert a long screwdriver into the differential, through the hole for the right drive shaft, until it rests against the inner end of the left drive shaft (see Fig. 8.5). Drive the left drive shaft out of the differential. Remove the drive shaft assembly.

Installation - all models

18. Installation is carried out in reverse order, performing the following steps.

19. Completely clean the shaft, its seat in the transmission and the hub carrier. Apply a small amount of lubricant to the oil seal lips and drive shaft grooves. Check that the brackets of the rubber protective covers are securely fastened.

20. Notice that the mounting bracket on the inner end of the left drive shaft (and right drive shaft on 1.6 liter models) must be replaced.

21. When installing the drive shafts, be careful not to damage the oil seals in the transmission housing.

22. Insert the left drive shaft into the transmission (photo).



23. Install the right drive shaft on 1.6 liter models as described above.

24. When installing the right drive shaft on all other models, tighten the holder bearing housing bolts to the tightening torque specified in the Specification.

25. Install the hub fastener to the lower arm of the front suspension, install the mounting plate and tighten the three nuts to the specified torque, as well as the upper suspension strut nuts (see Section 10).

26. Install the outer tie rod ball joint to the hub fastener, tighten the lock nut to the torque specified in the Specifications and install a new pin.

27. Install the metal spacer and tighten the shaft nut, install the wheel and lower the car. Tighten the drive shaft nut with the tightening torque specified in the Specifications, install the soft spacer and the locking ring.

28. On vehicles with steel wheels, install a new driveshaft nut pin, check that the wheel nuts are secure, then install the wheel trim or center cap. Don't forget to install the black plastic cover (if available).

29. On cars with alloy wheels, jack up the car and remove the wheel like this. so that you can install a new drive shaft nut retaining pin (photo). Install the black plastic cover (if available). Install the wheel and center cover, lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel nuts to the specified torque Specification.



30. Fill the transmission with oil or fluid, then check the level. See section 6 or 7, depending on the model.