FRONT AXLE

SECTION FA
CONTENTS
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS .......... FA-2 FRONT AXLE ..................................................... FA-5
General Specifications ................................... FA-2 Construction ....................................................FA-5
Inspection and Adjustment ............................. FA-2 WHEEL HUB ....................................................... FA-7
Tightening Torque .......................................... FA-2 Removal ..........................................................FA-7
TROUBLE DIAGNOSES AND Inspection ........................................................FA-8
CORRECTIONS .................................................. FA-3 Installation .......................................................FA-9
List of Diagnoses ............................................ FA-3 AXLE HOUSING ............................................... FA-15
PRECAUTIONS AND PREPARATION .............. FA-4 Removal and Installation ...............................FA-15
Precautions .................................................... FA-4 Inspection ......................................................FA-15
Special Service Tool ....................................... FA-4
 SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS

General Specifications
SERVICE DATA AND SPECIFICATIONS

Axle Full-floating, direct suspension type

Inspection and Adjustment

Item Adjustment specifications

Brake drum and hub bearing preload

N (kg, lb) 9.8 - 29.4 (1.0 - 3.0, 2.2 - 6.6)
(Rotation starting torque)

Tightening Torque

Unit N•m kg-m ft-lb

Axle mounting bracket securing nut 324 - 373 33 - 38 240 - 276

Brake backplate securing bolt 185 - 205 19 - 21 137 - 152
Brake tube flare nut 14.7 - 17.6 1.5 - 1.8 11 - 13
Axle shaft securing bolt 114 - 127 12 - 13 84 - 94
Wheel nut 167 - 226 17 - 23 123 - 167

FA-2
 TROUBLE DIAGNOSES AND CORRECTIONS

List of Diagnoses
TROUBLE DIAGNOSES AND CORRECTIONS

CAUTION:
The following table lists only typical examples. To perform an
accurate diagnosis, carefully listen to the user’s complaints
and check the actual vehicle to fully understand under what
conditions the symptoms occur.

Condition Probable cause Corrective action

Abnormal noise Loose axle mounting bracket securing bolts Tighten.

Make sure that noise is emitting from the front
Improperly adjusted or excessive backlash of Adjust wheel bearing preload. If a bearing is
axle. (Axle noise is prone to be confused with wheel bearing worn, replace bearings as a set.
differential gear noise.)
Worn or damaged wheel bearing Replace wheel bearings as a set.
Worn or damaged axle shaft splines Replace axle shaft and check differential side
gear.
Insufficient lubrication Apply grease.
Loose securing nuts and bolts Tighten.
Unstable driving and vehicle vibration Loose wheel nuts Tighten.
(Symptom related to steering axle is likely.
Deformed road wheels Replace.
Also refer to RA section.)
Unequal right and left tire pressure Adjust.
Different type tire or wheel on right or left Replace.
Differently worn right and left tires Check and replace.
Excessive wheel bearing backlash Adjust wheel bearing preload. If a bearing is
worn, replace bearings as a set.
Loose axle mounting Tighten mounting bracket securing nuts.
Loose nuts and bolts Tighten.
Oil leakage Worn or damaged axle shaft oil seal Replace.
Improperly installed differential carrier Replace gasket and apply sealant.
Loose filler plug and/or drain plug Tighten.
Cracked axle housing Replace.

FA-3
 PRECAUTIONS AND PREPARATION

Precautions
PRECAUTIONS AND PREPARATION

CAUTION:
• When raising or lowering the vehicle using a jack, refer to
GI section for safe operation.
• Be careful not to drop heavy components or parts. Always
use a lifting device.
NOTE:
• Wheel and hub can be removed as a unit.
• For work procedures required in relation to the removal and
installation of the front axle, also refer to the following sections.
a. GI section: Jacking instructions
b. MA section: Tire and wheel information
c. DF section: Removal and installation procedures for drive
axle assembly
• The drive axle assembly is ordinarily removed or installed
together with the differential gear (final drive assembly) to
service the required parts.
• This section provides information on the maintenance
procedures only for the brake drum and hub.
• Removal and installation of some front axle parts require the
use of designated special service tools.

Special Service Tool

Tool name Description

Wheel bearing nut wrench Removing or installing wheel bearing

nuts

FA-4
FRONT AXLE

Construction
FRONT AXLE

FA-5
FRONT AXLE

Construction (Cont’d)

FA-6
 WHEEL HUB

Removal
WHEEL HUB

1. Raise front wheels using a jack, then chock rear wheels. Refer
to GI section.
2. Apply parking brake to lock wheels, then loosen wheel securing
nuts.
3. Remove front wheels together with tires.
4. Remove drive axle shaft securing bolts, then withdraw axle
shaft.

CAUTION:
When removing drive axle shaft, remove it out straight not to
make any damage of lip of the oil seal for drive axle shaft. If
damaged, leakage of oil or grease is expected.
NOTE:
• If axle shaft is hard to remove, install drive axle shaft securing
bolts into axle shaft flange screw holes and tighten equally to
force axle shaft out.
• Remove oil seal if necessary.

5. Remove lock washer.

FA-7
 WHEEL HUB

Removal (Cont’d)
6. Using wheel bearing nut wrench (special service tool), remove
wheel bearing nuts.

WARNING:
Before removing wheel bearing nut from axle tube, the brake
drum and hub need to be supported by garage jack or similar.
The brake drum and hub is very heavy and it may fall when the
nut is removed.
NOTE:
If a wheel bearing nut wrench (special service tool) is not available,
loosen the nut by hitting the groove with a copper bar.
7. Remove outer bearing, then remove lock washer and spacer.
8. Remove wheel hub assembly.

CAUTION:
• When removing wheel hub assembly, release parking
brake (to undo brake shoes).
• Pull out wheel hub straight, to avoid damage to the lip of
brake side oil seal. If damaged, leakage of oil or grease is
expected.
• Never put grease or oil inside of brake drum. If this occurs,
clean surfaces thoroughly using oil remover.
• If brake drum is still catching on brake shoes and hard to
remove, remove adjusting hole plug. Use two screwdrivers
to release adjusting lever and turn adjusting nut 25 to 30
notches in direction of arrow.
• Withdraw wheel hub assembly parallel to axle tube, paying
attention not to drop hub assembly and wheel bearing
inner race. Be careful also not to damage oil seal.
9. Remove oil seal and wheel bearing outer race from wheel hub
as necessary.

FAM0002 NOTE:
Using a drift or similar tool, drive oil seal or bearing outer race out.

Inspection
GENERAL
Clean all removed parts in cleaning solvent. Carefully check for
cracks or damage. If necessary, repair or replace faulty parts.

AXLE SHAFT
1. Measure axle shaft flange surface runout. If it exceeds specified
limit, replace axle shaft with a new one.
Specified limit:
0.05 mm (0.0020 in) or less measured at
5 mm (0.20 in) from flange perimeter
2. Check axle shaft splines for stepped wear or damage. If
necessary, replace axle shaft with a new one.

FAM0065

FA-8
WHEEL HUB

Inspection (Cont’d)
WHEEL BEARINGS
Check wheel bearing for damage, seizure, flaking, improper rotation
or abnormal noise. Replace if necessary.

WHEEL HUBS
Check wheel hub using a dye penetration method. If it is cracked,
replace with a new one.

CAUTION:
Check whether there is any oil or grease on the inside surface
of brake drum. If necessary change the oil seal.

OIL SEALS
Check oil seals for wear or damage. If necessary, replace with new
ones.

Installation
1. Press-fit oil seal into axle tube (if previously removed).

CAUTION:
• Be careful not to deform oil seal when installing.
• If oil seal is deformed, use a new one.
• Always install each oil seal with the manufacture's name
and No. side facing the center of the vehicle.
• Check the direction of press fit.
• Secure the mounting distance.
• Part indicated with needs to be clear from oil or grease.

2. Press-fit bearing outer race into brake drum and hub (if
previously removed).

FA-9
WHEEL HUB

Installation (Cont’d)
3. Apply filling multi-purpose grease into brake drum and hub.

WARNING:
Never put oil or grease on the inside surface of brake drum. If
this occurs, clean surfaces thoroughly using oil remover.

4. Apply filling multi-purpose grease to taper bearing rollers and

cage and insert them to axle tube (taper bearing inner race of
brake assembly side).

5. Insert brake drum and hub assembly to axle tube.

WARNING:
• Brake drum and hub is very heavy. Supporting it with
garage jack is recommended to install it on axle tube.
• Install the brake drum and hub carefully, to avoid damage
to the lip of brake side oil seal.
• Never put multi-purpose grease used for oil seal on the
inner surface of the brake drum. If this occurs, clean
surface thoroughly with degreaser.

FA-10
WHEEL HUB

Installation (Cont’d)
6. Apply filling multi-purpose grease into taper bearing rollers and
cage, and insert them to axle tube (taper bearing inner race of
outside).

CAUTION:
The bearing may fall from axle tube because the bearing has a
taper. To avoid it, supporting brake drum and hub by using
garage jack is recommended.

7. Put spacer, lock washer to the axle tube. The projection of the
spacer and washer need to be set in the key groove of axle
tube. Then tighten the wheel bearing nut.

8. Using a wheel bearing nut wrench (special service tool), install

wheel bearing nuts.

FA-11
WHEEL HUB

Installation (Cont’d)
9. Adjust hub bearing preload.
• While rotating hub with one hand, tighten lock nut until hub is
slightly difficult to rotate.
• Loosen lock nut by turning approximately 60 degrees.
• Rotate hub two or three turns to seat the hub bearing.
• While rotating hub again with one hand, tighten lock nut until
hub is slightly difficult to rotate. From that position, loosen lock
nut by turning approximately 60 degrees.
• Tap hub with a copper hammer to properly seat hub bearing.
• Attach one end of the string to hub bolt and hang it halfway
around circumference of hub. Suspend a spring scale on the
other end of the string.
• Pull spring scale horizontally and measure hub bearing preload.
If measured preload is outside specifications, adjust by
tightening or loosening lock nut.
Hub rotation starting torque:
9.8 - 29.4 N (1.0 - 3.0 kg, 2.2 - 6.6 lb)
(measured with a spring balancer at hub bolt)

CAUTION:
• Make sure brakes are free from dragging during bearing
preload measurements.
• After adjusting bearing preload, rotate hub 2 or 3 turns to
make sure there is no free play in hub wheel bearing.
10. Install lock washer while mating protrusion of lock washer and
groove in wheel bearing nut, then bend projections of lock
washer surely.

CAUTION:
If lock washer hole does not match bearing nut hole properly,
turn over lock washer or turn lock nut, within preload
specification range, to adjust. When turning lock nut, turn it in
tightening direction if a lighter preload, within specification, is
set. Turn lock nut in loosening direction if a higher preload is
set.
11. Apply multi-purpose grease around lock washer and wheel
bearing nut.

FA-12
WHEEL HUB

Installation (Cont’d)
12. Apply a coat of liquid sealant (Loctite 242 or similar) to mating
surface drive axle shaft.

CAUTION:
Former sealant needs to be removed completely. If not, it
causes leakage of oil or grease.

13. Install drive axle shaft. Be sure to align axle shaft with dowel pin
during installation.
14. Apply a coat of multi-purpose grease to oil seal before
installation.

CAUTION:
Drive axle shaft needs to be installed not to make any damage
of oil seal lip to avoid any leakage problem.

15. Apply a drop of Loctite 242 or similar to thread of drive axle

shaft securing bolt.

CAUTION:
• Not to use too much Loctite. Too much Loctite cause
problem when disassemble the unit.
• Tighten bolts in numerical order two or three times, then
torque bolts to specification.
16. Remove excessive liquid sealant from flange of drive axle shaft.
Axle shaft securing bolt:
: 114 - 127 N•m (12 - 13 kg-m, 84 - 94 ft-Ib)

FA-13
WHEEL HUB

Installation (Cont’d)
17. Install wheel and tire as a unit.
: Refer to “Tightening Torque”, “SERVICE DATA
AND SPECIFICATIONS”.
NOTE:
Tighten wheel nuts to a lesser value than specification, making sure
it is enough to keep component installation stable when the vehicle
is lowered to the ground.
18. Carefully lower vehicle to ground. Tighten wheel nuts to
specified torque.
Wheel nut:
: 167 - 226 N•m (17 - 23 kg-m, 123 - 167 ft-lb)

CAUTION:
• Always tighten wheel nuts in a criss-cross fashion.
• After properly tightening wheel nuts, inflate pneumatic
tires to specified pressure.

FA-14
 AXLE HOUSING

Removal and Installation

AXLE HOUSING

Drive axle housing can be removed or installed with differential gear

(final drive assembly) attached.
NOTE:
• For final drive assembly removal and installation procedures,
refer to DF section.
• For brake assembly removal procedures, refer to BR section.

DFM0083

Inspection
GENERAL
Clean all removed parts in cleaning solvent. Carefully check for
cracks or damage. If necessary, repair or replace faulty parts.

AXLE HOUSING
Check axle housing using a dye penetration method. If it is cracked,
replace with a new one.

AXLE MOUNTING BRACKET

Check axle mounting bracket for damage. If necessary, replace with
a new one.

FA-15
MEMO

FA-16