Diagnosis And Testing - Dodge dakota 2002 Service Manual

DR
HALF SHAFT
CAUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SPECIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
SPECIAL TOOLS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
HALF SHAFT
CAUTION
CAUTION:: Never grasp half shaft assembly by the
boots. This may cause the boot to pucker or crease
and reduce the service life of the boot.
Avoid over angulating or stroking the C/V joints
when handling the half shaft.
Half shafts exposed to battery acid, transmission
fluid, brake fluid, differential fluid or gasoline may
cause the boots to deteriorate.

DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING

Check for grease at the inboard and outboard C/V
joint. This is a sign of boot or boot clamp damage.
NOISE/VIBRATION IN TURNS
A clicking noise or a vibration in turns could be
caused by a damaged outer C/V or inner tripod joint
seal boot or seal boot clamps. This will result in the
loss/contamination of the joint grease, resulting in
inadequate lubrication of the joint. Noise could also
be caused by another component of the vehicle com-
ing in contact with the half shafts.
CLUNKING NOISE DURING ACCELERATION
This noise may be a result of a damaged or worn
C/V joint. A torn boot or loose/missing clamp on the
inner/outer joint which has allowed the grease to be
lost will damage the C/V joint.
SHUDDER/VIBRATION DURING ACCELERATION
This problem could be a result of a worn/damaged
inner tripod joint or a sticking tripod joint. Improper
wheel alignment may also cause a shudder or vibra-
tion.
HALF SHAFT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
CV JOINT-OUTER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
CV JOINT-INNER
REMOVAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
INSTALLATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
VIBRATION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
This problem could be a result of out of balance
front tires or tire/wheel runout. Foreign material
(mud, etc.) packed on the backside of the wheel(s)
will also cause a vibration.
REMOVAL
(1) Loosen lug nuts and hub nut while the with
the vehicle brakes applied.
(2) Raise and support the vehicle.
(3) Remove wheel and tire assembly
(4) Remove half shaft hub nut.
(5) Remove brake caliper and rotor.
(6) Position hydraulic jack under lower suspension
arm and raise jack to unload rebound bumper.
(7) Remove lower shock absorber bolt.
(8) Remove upper ball joint nut and seperate ball
with Remover 8677 (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1 UPPER BALL JOINT SEPARATION
1 - UPPER CONTROL ARM
2 - REMOVER
3 - STEERING KNUCKLE
HALF SHAFT 3 - 11
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