Acura TSX / Honda Accord CL. Manual — part 296

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

FRONT AXLE SHAFTS

Removal

1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.

2. Remove the wheel nuts and front wheels.

3. Lift up the locking tab (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut. See Fig. 2 .

4. Drain the transmission fluid. Reinstall the drain plug using a new washer:

z

Manual transmission. See appropriate SERVICING in MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.

z

Automatic transmission. See appropriate SERVICING in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.

5. Hold the stabilizer ball joint pin (A) with a hex wrench (B), and remove the flange nut (C). See Fig. 3 .

Separate the front stabilizer link (D) from the lower arm.

6. Remove the self-locking nut (A) and 12 mm flange bolts (B), and 10 mm flange bolt (C), then remove the

damper fork (D). See Fig. 4 .

7. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint castle nut (B), and remove the nut. See Fig. 5 .

8. Separate the ball joint from the lower arm (C) with the ball joint remover.

9. Pull the knuckle outward, and remove the outboard joint from the front wheel hub using a plastic

hammer. See Fig. 6 .

10. Remove the axle shaft as an assembly. See Fig. 7 . DO NOT pull on the axle shaft (B), because the

inboard joint may come apart. Pull the axle shaft straight out to avoid damaging the oil seal.

z

Left: Pry the inboard joint (A) from the differential case with a prybar.

z

Right: Drive the inboard joint (A) off of the intermediate shaft with drift and hammer.

NOTE:

Letters in parenthesis correspond to letters in illustrations.

2004 Acura TSX

2004 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - Front - TSX

Fig. 2: Removing & Installing Axle Nut
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA CO., INC.

2004 Acura TSX

2004 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - Front - TSX

Fig. 3: Holding Stabilizer Ball Joint Pin With Hex Wrench
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2004 Acura TSX

2004 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - Front - TSX

Fig. 4: Removing Self-Locking Nut & Flange Bolts
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2004 Acura TSX

2004 DRIVE AXLES Axle Shafts - Front - TSX