Rear Drive HALFSHAFTS: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mazda Tribute and 2003 Mazda Tribute. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION:

An inspection of the outer and inner boots is necessary so that if damage or grease leakage is evident, installation of a new halfshaft can take place immediately. Continued operation with damage or grease leakage will result in CV joint wear and noise due to contamination and loss of the CV joint grease.

The RH and LH halfshafts are the same length.
Inboard and outboard CV joints connect to a splined shaft. A circlip stopper holds the cross groove inboard race assembly (inboard CV joint) together.
An axle circlip retains the splined inboard CV joint to the differential side gear. Install a new axle circlip each time the halfshaft is removed from the vehicle.
A rear axle wheel hub nut secures the side shaft assembly (interconnecting shaft and outboard CV joint) to the rear hub. Install a new rear axle wheel hub nut each time the halfshaft is removed from the vehicle.