Driveshaft - removal and refitting

Driveshafts / Driveshaft - removal and refitting

Note: A new driveshaft retaining nut will be required on refitting.

Removal
1 Remove the wheel trim from the relevant wheel.

2 With the handbrake applied loosen the driveshaft nut. The nut is tightened to a high torque and a socket extension may be required.

3 Jack up the front of the car and support it on axle stands (see “Jacking and vehicle support”). Remove the roadwheel.

4 Using a suitable splined key, unscrew and remove the bolts securing the inner CV joint to the final drive flange. Note the location of the spacer plates. Support the inner end of the driveshaft on an axle stand.

5 Remove the outer nut and washer, then turn the steering on full lock and tap the driveshaft from the splined hub using a soft head mallet. When removing the right-hand driveshaft it is advantageous to disconnect the anti-roll bar front mountings and the track control arm from the strut. Do not move the car on its wheels with either driveshaft removed otherwise damage may occur to the wheel bearings (see illustration).

2.5 The driveshaft inner joint

Refitting
6 Refitting is a reversal of removal, but first clean the hub and driveshaft splines and the mating faces of the inner CV joint and final drive flange. Smear a little molybdenum based grease on the splines. Fit a new outer nut and tighten it to the specified torque with the car lowered to the ground. Tighten the inner bolts to the specified torque. On the right-hand driveshaft make sure that the balance weight is located with its conical side facing the gearbox and the opposite side in the groove on the driveshaft. Where there is no groove, locate it on the point mark at the dimension shown (see illustrations).

2.6a Fitting the driveshaft to the final drive flange

2.6b Location of the balance weight on the right-hand driveshaft

Dimension a = 151.0 mm