The CV Shaft (front drive axle) connects between the transmission and the front wheel on each side of a front wheel drive car. When you are driving down the road and notice a clicking noise when turning, odds are you need to replace the CV Shaft assembly. This is a common failure as it sees constant motion when the car is driven. Rear axles are a little more tricky and require close inspection with a dial indicator as shown in the video. If you need Full Step by Step Instructions Online right Now obtain the information from Auto Repair Manuals.
CV Half Shaft Replacement for a Honda Accord
- Loosen the front spindle nut.
- Raise and safely support the vehicle.
- Remove the front wheels and the spindle nut.
- Drain the trans axle fluid and install the drain plug with a new washer. If the half shaft to be removed is installed into the intermediate shaft, the trans axle fluid does not need to be drained.
- Remove the damper fork nut and damper pinch bolt.
- Remove the damper fork.
- Remove the cotter pin and castle nut from the lower arm ball joint. Install a hex nut flush onto the ball joint stud to prevent the ball joint tool from damaging the stud threads.
- Using a ball joint tool, separate the lower arm from the knuckle.
- Pull the knuckle outward. Remove the half shaft outboard joint from the hub by tapping it with a plastic hammer.
- Carefully pry the inner CV-joint away from the trans axle case to force the half shaft set ring out of the groove.
- Pull on the inboard CV-joint and remove the half shaft from the differential case or intermediate shaft.
NOTE: Do not pull on the half shaft as the CV-joint may come apart. Use care when prying out the assembly and pull it straight to avoid damaging the differential oil seal or intermediate shaft oil or dust seals.
To install:
- Replace the differential oil seal or intermediate shaft seal if either were damaged during removal.
- Install new set rings on the ends of the half shafts.
- Install the half shafts and be sure the set ring locks in the differential gear groove and the half shaft bottoms in the differential or intermediate shaft.
- Install the outboard joint into the hub. Be sure the splines mesh together and the joint is fully seated into the hub.
- Fit the ball joint stud into the lower control arm. Install the damper fork into position. Tighten the upper damper pinch bolt to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm) and the fork nut to 47 ft. lbs. (65 Nm).
- Tighten the ball joint castle nut to 40 ft. lbs. (55 Nm), then tighten the nut just enough to install a new cotter pin.
- Install the front wheels. Install a new spindle nut, but don't tighten it yet.
- Lower the vehicle.
- Tighten the spindle nut to 181 ft. lbs. (245 Nm) and stake its tab. Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 ft. lbs. (110 Nm).
- Fill the trans axle with the proper type and quantity of fluid.
- Warm the engine up, check the trans axle fluid level, and road test the vehicle.