Chrysler PT Cruiser Service & Repair Manual page 93

PT
HALF SHAFT (Continued)
Fig. 6 Steering Knuckle at Lower Control Arm Ball
1 - NUT
2 - BOLT
3 - BALL JOINT
Fig. 7 Separating Lower Control Arm from Steering
1 - STEERING KNUCKLE
2 - PRY BAR
3 - LOWER CONTROL ARM
4 - BALL JOINT STUD
(9) Remove halfshaft from steering knuckle by
pulling outward on knuckle while pressing in on half-
shaft. Support outer end of halfshaft assembly. If dif-
ficulty in separating
encountered, do not strike shaft with hammer,
instead use puller 1026 to separate (Fig. 8).
(10) Support outer end of the halfshaft assembly.
(11) Remove the inner tripod joints from the side
gears of the transaxle using a punch to dislodge the
inner tripod joint retaining ring from the transaxle
side gear. If removing the right side inner tripod
joint, position the punch to the inner tripod joint
extraction groove (if equipped). Strike the punch
Joint
Knuckle
halfshaft from
Fig. 8 Separating Halfshaft from Hub/Bearing
1 - PULLER 1026
2 - HALFSHAFT
sharply with a hammer to dislodge the right inner
joint from the side gear. If removing the left side
inner tripod joint, position the punch to the inner tri-
pod joint extraction groove (Fig. 9). Strike the punch
sharply with a hammer to dislodge the left inner tri-
pod joint from the side gear.
NOTE: Removal of the inner tripod joints is made
easier if you apply outward pressure on the joint as
you strike the punch with a hammer. DO NOT PULL
ON INTERCONNECTING SHAFT TO REMOVE, AS
THE INNER JOINT WILL BECOME SEPARATED.
(12) Hold inner tripod joint and interconnecting
shaft of halfshaft assembly (Fig. 10). Remove inner
tripod joint from transaxle by pulling it straight out
of transaxle side gear and transaxle oil seal. When
removing tripod joint, do not let spline or snap
ring drag across sealing lip of the transaxle to
tripod joint oil seal. When tripod joint is
removed from transaxle, some fluid will leak
hub is
out.
CAUTION: The halfshaft, when installed, acts as a
bolt and secures the front hub/bearing assembly. If
vehicle is to be supported or moved on its wheels
with a halfshaft removed, install a PROPER–SIZED
BOLT AND NUT through front hub. Tighten bolt and
nut to 244 N·m (180 ft. lbs.). This will ensure that
the hub bearing cannot loosen.
HALF SHAFT 3 - 5