Discovery 2. Manual - part 585

FRONT AXLE

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

54-3

Wheel hub

Section through wheel hub

1 Drive shaft
2 Axle casing
3 Gaiter
4 Upper ball joint
5 Constant velocity joint
6 Steering knuckle
7 Hub bearing
8 Hub flange

9 Wheel stud

10 Stake nut
11 ABS sensor ring
12 Tension collet
13 Lower ball joint
14 Securing bands
15 Shield
16 Oil seal

Each wheel hub consists of a hub flange pressed into a hub bearing.

The hub flange is splined to accept the constant velocity joint of the drive shaft, which is secured to the hub flange 
with a stake nut. Five studs are installed in the hub flange for the wheel nuts and a threaded hole is provided for the 
brake disc securing screw.

The outer race of the hub bearing is bolted to the steering knuckle. The hub bearing is a sealed unit which contains 
twin opposed roller bearings, pre-packed with grease during manufacture. A toothed ABS sensor ring is integrated 
into the inner race of the hub bearing. An opening in the outer race of the hub bearing accommodates the ABS sensor.

FRONT AXLE

54-4

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION

Drive shaft
Each drive shaft consists of a solid rod, splined at both ends, with a constant velocity joint installed on the outboard 
end. A shield is incorporated onto each rod to protect the oil seals in the axle casing. The constant velocity joint is of 
the ball and socket type. A shaft on the constant velocity joint is splined to the hub flange. The constant velocity joint 
is pre-packed with grease and protected by a gaiter. Two securing bands retain the gaiter in position.

FRONT AXLE

REPAIRS

54-5

REPAIRS

Differential - assembly

$% 54.10.01 

Remove

1. Raise front of vehicle. 

WARNING: Do not work on or under a 
vehicle supported only by a jack. Always 
support the vehicle on safety stands.

2. Remove front road wheels.
3. Drain oil from differential.

 

 + 

 MAINTENANCE, PROCEDURES, 

Front and rear axle.

4. If same components to be refitted, reference 

mark propeller shaft and mating components.

5. Remove 4 nuts and bolts securing propeller 

shaft to differential. Release propeller shaft and 
tie aside.

6. Remove LH and RH front brake discs. 

 

 + 

 BRAKES, REPAIRS, Brake disc - 

front.

7. Disconnect each ABS sensor multiplug.

8. Release each harness from brake hose and 

hose bracket.

FRONT AXLE

54-6

REPAIRS

9. Remove 4 bolts securing each front wheel hub 

to front axle.

10. Release wheel hubs from front axle. Remove 

wheel hubs and drive shafts from front axle.

11. Remove oil seal from axle casing.

12. Remove 10 bolts securing differential to axle 

casing. Release and remove differential from 
axle casing.

Refit

1. Clean drive shaft oil seal recess, oil seal 

running surface, wheel hub and axle mating 
faces.

2. Using a suitable solvent, clean old RTV sealant 

from differential and axle mating faces.

3. Apply RTV sealant to differential or axle mating 

face.

4. Apply Loctite 243 to threads of differential 

securing bolts.

5. Fit differential to axle, fit bolts and tighten to 55 

Nm (41 lbf.ft).  

6. Position propeller shaft and align reference 

marks. Fit bolts and tighten to 47 Nm (35 lbf.ft).

7. Lubricate oil seal lip and running surface with 

clean differential oil.
 

+ 

 CAPACITIES, FLUIDS AND 

LUBRICANTS, Lubrication.

8. Using  LRT-54-012 and  LRT-99-003, fit new 

drive shaft oil seal to axle casing.

9. Apply anti-seize compound to wheel hub and 

steering knuckle mating faces.

10. Ensure ABS harnesses are located in cut out in 

steering knuckles.

11. Fit drive shafts in axle casing and align wheel 

hubs with steering knuckles. Fit wheel hub bolts 
and tighten to 100 Nm (74 lbf.ft). 

12. Connect each ABS sensor multiplug and 

secure harness to harness bracket and brake 
hose.