How to Replace a Plymouth Acclaim Half-Shaft
- 1). Park the vehicle on level ground and set the parking brake. Remove the hub caps from both front wheels (if replacing both sides).
- 2). Remove the cotter pin from the axle shaft by bending the ends of the pins straight with needle nose pliers so the pins will slide out.
- 3). Remove the castle nut cap by hand from the axle nut. Use the breaker bar and axle nut socket to loosen the axle nut until it comes off the axle. Place a drain pan under the transmission to catch any lost fluid.
- 4). Use a lug wrench to loosen the lug nuts. Place the jack under the vehicle's frame and raise the vehicle until the tire is off the ground. Position the jack stand.
Lower the jack until the frame is resting on the jack stand. Remove the lug nuts from the wheel and slide the wheel off the hub. - 5). Remove the speedometer cable from the transmission by removing the lock bolt from the top of the speedometer gear. Slide the speedometer from the transmission.
- 6). Locate the lower ball joint lock bolt on the steering knuckle. Use a 9/16-inch wrench and socket to loosen the nut and remove it from the bolt. Slide the bolt out from the spindle. Place the pry bar between spindle and the ball joint.
Slide the axle shaft out of the hub assembly. Use a pry bar to pry the back side of the axle from the transmission. - 7). Install the new axle in reverse of removal process. Assemble the hub to the ball joint and install the lock nut. Replace the wheel, remove the jack stand and lower the vehicle.
