How to Replace CV Axle Shaft 1998-2004 Nissan Frontier
Difficulty: Advanced · About 100 min · Nissan Frontier
Replace a CV axle shaft, including removing the wheel bearing hub, on a 1998-2004 Nissan Frontier.
Tools you will need
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Ratchet
- 12mm socket
- 22mm socket
- 6mm hex wrench
- Snap ring pliers
- Flat blade screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Center punch
- Hammer
- Pry bar
- Needle-nose pliers
- Torque wrench
- Assistant
- Length of pipe
Parts and supplies
- CV axle shaft
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the 22mm lug nuts with the truck on the ground, then raise and support it and pull the wheel.
- Remove the hub assembly
Wedge a long screwdriver in the rotor to hold it still, remove the six 6mm Allen bolts on the hub, pull the circlip and slide out the outer bearing, then remove the two Phillips screws holding the washer and take the washers off.
- Remove the old axle
Hold the axle shaft still with a screwdriver while removing its six 12mm bolts, pull the cotter pin from the upper castle nut, loosen the castle nut with a 22mm wrench, jack under the knuckle and thread the nut back on partway for safety, lower the jack slightly, strike the knuckle to break it free of the control arm, then raise the knuckle again, remove the castle nut fully, and lower the jack slowly to pull the axle shaft out.
- Install the new axle
Transfer the washer to the new axle, feed it into the hub assembly first (an assistant helps here), jack the knuckle up to align the spindle into the ball joint while pressing the control arm into place, tighten the castle nut, lower the jack, fit a new cotter pin, then insert and torque the 6mm bolts to about 40 ft-lb.
- Reinstall the hub assembly
Refit the washers and their Phillips screws, press the outer bearing in, fit the circlip, seat the hub, then torque its six 6mm Allen bolts to about 10-12 ft-lb.
- Reinstall the wheel
Torque the lug nuts to about 100 ft-lb in a crossing pattern.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.