Kia Optima Hybrid Owner's Manual Quiz
Drive Shaft and Axle

Front Propeller Shaft Repair Procedures

In this manual: Drive Shaft and Axle
General Information — 4Engine Mechanical System — 50Engine Electrical System — 20Emission Control System — 30Engine Control System/Fuel System — 84Automatic Transmission — 98Drive Shaft and Axle — 15Suspension System — 36Steering — 12Restraints — 50Brake System — 38Body (Interior and Exterior) — 54Body Electrical System — 233Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning — 57
38steps
~233min
5/5difficulty
1special tools
04080120160200107.880N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 38

Replacement

  1. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly. Raise the vehicle and make sure it is securely supported.
  2. Remove the wheel nuts, front wheel and tire from the front hub.

    Tightening torque: 88.2 - 108 N·m
    Be careful not to damage the wheel nuts when removing the front wheel and tire.
  3. Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts, then suspend the brake caliper assembly (A) with wire.

    Tightening torque: 78.4 ~ 98 N·m

  4. Remove the driveshaft nut (A) from the front hub while applying the brake.

    Tightening torque: 215.7 ~ 255 N·m (22.0 ~ 26.0 kgf·m, 159.1 ~ 188.0 lbf·ft)

  5. Disconnect the tie rod end ball joint (A) from the steering knuckle.
    1. Remove the cotter pin (C).
    2. Remove the castellated nut (B).

      Tightening torque: 34.3 to 44 N·m

  6. Loosen the mounting bolt and remove the wheel speed sensor (A) from the steering knuckle.

    Tightening torque: 6.8 - 10.7 N·m

  7. Loosen the bolt and nut, then remove the steering knuckle from the strut assembly (A).

    Tightening torque: 156.9 ~ 176 N·m (16.0 ~ 18.0 kgf·m, 115.7 ~ 130.2 ft-lbf)

  8. Disconnect the drive shaft (A) from the front hub assembly.
  9. Insert a pry bar between the transaxle case and the joint housing, and separate the driveshaft (A) from the transaxle case.
    • Use a pry bar (A), taking care not to damage the transaxle and the joint.
    • Do not insert the pry bar (A) too deeply, as this may damage the oil seal.
    • Do not pull the propeller shaft with excessive force, as this may cause the components inside the joint assembly to shift, resulting in a torn boot or damaged bearing.
    • Plug the transaxle case opening with an oil seal cap to prevent contamination.
    • Support the propeller shaft properly.
    • Replace the snap ring every time the propeller shaft is removed from the transaxle case.
  10. Install in the reverse order of removal.

Inspection

  1. Inspect the drive shaft boots for damage and wear.
  2. Inspect the drive shaft splines for wear or damage.
  3. Make sure there is no water or foreign matter in the joint.
  4. Inspect the spider assembly for roller rotation, wear, or corrosion.
  5. Inspect the groove inside the joint case for wear or corrosion.
  6. Inspect the dynamic damper for damage or cracks.

Disassembly
  • Do not disassemble the BJ.
  • Special grease must be applied to the propeller shaft joint. Do not replace the grease with another type.
  • The boot must be replaced with a new one.
  1. Remove the snap ring (B) from the spline of the drive shaft (A).
  2. Remove both boot bands from the transaxle side TJ housing.
  3. Pull the boot off the transaxle side joint housing (B).
  4. Separate the boot (A) of the TJ from the transaxle side, wipe the grease from the TJ housing (B), and assemble them accordingly.
    Make alignment marks (D) on the spider roller assembly (A), the joint housing (B) and the shaft spline (C) to facilitate reassembly.
  5. Remove the snap ring (A) from the shaft.
  6. Remove the spider assembly (B) from the driveshaft.
  7. Clean the spider assembly.
  8. Remove the boot (A) from the transaxle side TJ.
    To reuse the boot (A), wrap tape (B) around the drive shaft splines (C) to protect the boot (A).
  9. Using pliers or a flat-tip screwdriver (-), remove both clamps (B) of the dynamic damper (A).
  10. Secure the drive shaft (A) in a vise (B), as shown in the illustration.
  11. Apply soap powder to the shaft to prevent damage between the shaft splines and the dynamic damper when the dynamic damper is removed.
  12. Carefully separate the dynamic damper (A) from the shaft (B).
  13. Using pliers or a flat-tip screwdriver (-), remove the BJ boot band on the wheel side.
  14. Pull the BJ joint (wheel side) toward the transaxle.
    Be careful not to damage the boot.

Installation

  1. Wrap the driveshaft splines (TJ) with tape to prevent damage to the boots.
  2. Apply grease to the wheel side joint boot and install the boot.

    Amount of grease: GRB006 (urea) 105 g (3.7 oz)

  3. Using SST (09495-3K000), secure the tie strap.

    Clearance (A): 2.0 mm (0.079 in) or less

  4. To install the dynamic damper (A), hold the shaft in a straight line and assemble the dynamic damper with the bands (B).
  5. Assemble the transaxle side joint boot and bands.
  6. Using the alignment marks (D) made during removal as a guide, install the spider assembly (A) and snap ring (B) onto the drive shaft splines (C).

    Amount of grease: SH06-VX21 (urea) 145 g (5.1 oz)

  7. Add the specified grease to the joint boot in the amount that was wiped off during inspection.
  8. Install both boot bands.

Test yourself

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