Honda 44306-SHJ-L01 Driver Side Driveshaft Assembly

Set the parking brake and remove the wheel cover or hubcap. If the axle shaft/hub nut is staked, unstake it with a center punch or chisel. Loosen the axle shaft/hub nut with a large socket and breaker bar, but do not remove it yet. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts, raise the vehicle, and support it securely on jackstands before removing the wheel. If removing the left axle shaft, drain the transaxle lubricant. Remove the axle shaft/hub nut, disconnect the upper end of the stabilizer bar link, and separate the control arm from the steering knuckle. To loosen the axle shaft from the hub splines, tap the end of the axle shaft with a hammer and brass punch; if it is stuck, a puller may be necessary. Pull out on the steering knuckle and detach the axle shaft from the hub, suspending the outer end on a bungee cord or wire. Before removing the axle shaft, check for lubricant leakage around the differential seal, as a leak may require seal replacement after removal. For the right axle shaft, tap the inboard joint off the intermediate shaft using a long drift; for the left axle shaft, position a prybar against the inner joint and carefully pry it off the transaxle side gear. Avoid using the axle shaft to pull on the inner joint to prevent damage. Remove the axle shaft assembly, ensuring not to over-extend the inner joint or damage the axle shaft boots. If necessary to move the vehicle while the axle shaft is out, place a large bolt with two large washers through the hub and tighten the nut securely. Installation is the reverse of removal, with additional points including removing the old set-ring from the inner CV joint or intermediate shaft and installing a new one, applying a film of multi-purpose grease around the splines of the joints, and ensuring the axle shaft is seated properly in the transaxle side gear or center support bearing. Clean all foreign matter from the axle shaft outer CV joint threads, install the new axle shaft/hub nut, and tighten it securely without reaching the specified torque at this time. Tighten the suspension fasteners to the specified torque, install the wheel and lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and then tighten the axle shaft/hub nut to the specified torque, staking it to the groove in the axle shaft. Finally, tighten the wheel lug nuts to the specified torque and add transaxle lubricant if it was drained or spilled.

Drive is delivered from the transaxle to the wheels by means of two axle shafts, of which one end fits onto the side gears of the differential by means of splines. The axle shafts can be withdrawn for renewal of the oil seals, and the outer ends are splined to the front hubs and locked by usually a large nut. Every axle shaft assembly is made up of an inner and outer CV joint linked by an axle shaft, with the inner ends containing a tripod joint that permits angular, as well as axial movement; it is also designed to allow the inner CV joints to slide outwards, if the axle shaft adjusts with wheel movement. The outer CV joints have a ball-and-cage structure through which angular motion is possible, but not the axial type. Proper inspection of the boots to look for the damage and seeping of lubricant is key since torn boots will harm the CV joint. It is generally necessary to pull the axle shaft to replace the boot, but some automotive socket stores have 'split' type boots for those who do not wish to pull the axle shaft. However, it is recommended that the axle shaft be momentarily withdrawn and the boots of the CV joint opened to check that they are clear of offending materials that may catalyse wear. Some of these signs you will be seeing when your CV joints are worn or damaged include; you find lubricant on the CV joint, getting a clicking sound when making corners, there is a sound like a clunk when you speed up after slowing down, the car's steering vibrates at high speeds. To confirm wear, hold one axle at its end opposite the CV joint, and the other at the related CV joint housing, while rotating the axle in each direction-think of it as 'windshield wiper' like motion where you see play or loose splines, or hopelessly sloppy CV joints. The axle shafts should be also checked for cracks, dents and distortion.

Right side axle is 44305-SHJ-L01