Dodge Durango (DN). Manual - part 217

CAUTION: Proper C/V joint boot sealing is critical
for retaining the special lubricant. Prevent foreign
material from entering and contaminating the C/V
joints. Mishandling a C/V drive shaft can cause a
boot to be punctured or damage within the joints.
Always support both ends of the C/V drive shaft
during removal and installation to avoid damage.

When

replacing

C/V

drive

shaft

components,

ensure that only exact replacements parts are
installed.

OPERATION

The axle driveshafts are located on either side of

the differential and transmits power to the drive
wheels, while allowing for vertical movement in the
vehicle’s suspension.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

VEHICLE INSPECTION

(1) Check for grease in the vicinity of the inboard

tripod joint and outboard C/V joint; this is a sign of
inner or outer joint seal boot or seal boot clamp dam-
age.

(2) A light film of grease may appear on the right

inner tripod joint seal boot; this is considered normal
and should not require replacement of the seal boot.

NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION IN TURNS

A clicking noise and/or a vibration in turns could

be caused by one of the following conditions:

• Damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint seal

boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the loss
and/or contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint.

• Noise may also be caused by another component

of the vehicle coming in contact with the driveshafts.

CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION

This noise may be a result of one of the following

conditions:

• A torn seal boot on the inner or outer joint of the

driveshaft assembly which has allowed the C/V joint
to become damaged.

• A loose or missing clamp on the inner or outer

joint of the driveshaft assembly which has allowed
the C/V joint to become damaged.

• A damaged or worn driveshaft C/V joint.

SHUDDER OR VIBRATION DURING
ACCELERATION

This problem could be a result of:
• A worn or damaged driveshaft inner tripod joint.

3 - 18

FRONT AXLE DRIVESHAFTS

Fig. 1 C/V Drive Shaft Components

FRONT AXLE DRIVESHAFTS

3 - 19

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

• A sticking tripod joint spider assembly (inner tri-

pod joint only).

• Improper wheel alignment. Refer to Group 2,

Suspension, for alignment checking and setting pro-
cedures and specifications.

VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS

This problem could be a result of:
• Foreign material (mud, etc.) packed on the back-

side of the wheel(s).

• Out of balance front tires or wheels. Refer to

Group 22, Wheels And Tires, for the required balanc-
ing procedure.

• Improper tire and/or wheel runout. Refer to

Group 22, Wheels And Tires, for the required runout
checking procedure.

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

FRONT DRIVESHAFT

REMOVAL

(1) Remove the cotter pin, nut lock, and spring

washer from the stub shaft (Fig. 2).

(2) Loosen the lug nuts and hub nut while the

vehicle is on the surface with the brakes applied (Fig.
3).

(3) Raise the vehicle.
(4) Remove the skid plate, if equipped.
(5) Remove the hub nut and washer from the stub

shaft (Fig. 4).

(6) Remove the wheel and tire.

1 – RETAINER & HOUSING ASM
2 – C-CLIP
3 – TRIPOD JOINT SPIDER
4 – SEAL RETAINING CLAMP
5 – INNER BOOT
6 – SEAL RETAINING CLAMP
7 – C/V JOINT OUTER RACE
8 – C/V JOINT CAGE
9 – C/V JOINT INNER RACE
10 – CHROME ALLOY BALL

11 – RACE RETAINING RING
12 – SEAL RETAINING CLAMP
13 – DRIVE AXLE OUTBOARD SEAL
14 – SEAL RETAINING CLAMP
15 – AXLE SHAFT
16 – RETAINING RING
17 – BALL & ROLLER RETAINER
18 – TRIPOD JOINT BALL
19 – NEEDLE ROLLER

Fig. 2 Cotter Pin, Nut Lock & Spring Washer

Removal

1 – SPRING WASHER
2 – HUB NUT
3 – NUT LOCK
4 – COTTER PIN

Fig. 3 Loosening Wheel Hub Nut

Fig. 4 Hub Nut & Washer

1 – DRIVE SHAFT
2 – HUB WASHER
3 – HUB NUT

3 - 20

FRONT AXLE DRIVESHAFTS

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

(7) Remove the brake caliper and rotor. Refer to

Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(8) Remove

the

ABS

wheel

speed

sensor,

equipped. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper proce-
dures.

(9) Remove the bolts holding the hub bearing to

the knuckle.

(10) Remove hub bearing from axle driveshaft and

steering knuckle.

(11) Support the drive shaft at the C/V joint hous-

ings.

(12) Disengage the inner C/V joint from the axle

shaft (Fig. 5). Position two pry bars between the
inner C/V housing and the axle housing. Apply pres-
sure away from the differential housing. This will
disengage the axle shaft snap-ring from the groove
on the inside of the C/V housing.

(13) Remove the driveshaft from the vehicle.

INSTALLATION

(1) Insert the C/V drive shaft stub into the hub

bearing bore of the steering knuckle.

(2) Apply a light coating of wheel bearing grease

on the axle shaft splines.

(3) Install the inner C/V joint onto the axle shaft

flange. Push firmly on the shaft until the axle shaft
snap-ring engages with the groove on the inside of
the joint housing.

(4) Clean hub bearing bore, axle driveshaft splines,

and hub bearing mating surface of all foreign mate-
rials. Apply light coating of grease to all mating sur-
faces.

(5) Install the hub bearing to the axle driveshaft

and the steering knuckle.

(6) Install the bolts to hold the hub bearing to the

steering knuckle. Refer to Group 2, Suspension, for
the proper torque.

(7) Clean all foreign material from the stub shaft

threads. Install the hub nut and washer.

(8) Install

the

ABS

wheel

speed

sensor,

equipped. Refer to Group 5, Brakes, for proper proce-
dures.

(9) Install the brake caliper and rotor. Refer to

Group 5, Brakes, for proper procedures.

(10) Apply the brakes and tighten hub nut to 244

N·m (180 ft. lbs.) torque.

(11) Install the spring washer, nut lock and cotter

pin on the stub shaft (Fig. 6).

(12) Install the skid plate, if equipped.
(13) Install the wheel and tire.

C/V JOINT BOOTS

REMOVAL

(1) Remove axle driveshaft from vehicle.
(2) Remove outer C/V joint.
(3) Remove outer C/V joint small clamp and

remove boot (Fig. 7).

(4) Remove inner C/V joint boot clamps and

remove boot.

INSTALLATION

The lubricant amounts included with replacement

boots are different for inner and outer C/V joints.
Apply only the specified lubricant amount to each
C/V joint.

(1) Clean the C/V joints and shaft of all old grease

and foreign matter.

(2) Slide the inner C/V joint boot up the shaft and

insert the lip located within the small-diameter end
of the boot into the shaft groove (Fig. 7).

(3) Retain the small–diameter of the boot on the

shaft with a ladder-type clamp in the boot groove

Fig. 5 Front Driveshaft

1 – DRIVESHAFT
2 – FRONT AXLE
3 – STEERING KNUCKLE

Fig. 6 Cotter Pin Installation

1 – COTTER PIN
2 – NUT LOCK

FRONT AXLE DRIVESHAFTS

3 - 21

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)

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