Front Drive Shaft Disassembly and Reassembly: Disassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Suzuki SX4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

CAUTION: Disassembly of the wheel-side joint or the tripod joint spider can cause performance problems. If anything abnormal (damage, noise, etc.) is found with either of these joints, replace the joint as an assembly.

Remove boot bands (1) of differential side, center shaft side or transfer side.

Fig 1: Removing Boot Bands Of Differential Side, Center Shaft Side
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove joint housing from drive shaft.
Wipe off grease from shaft and take off snap ring (1) using snap ring pliers (2).

Fig 2: Identifying Snap Ring And Snap Ring Pliers
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Remove tripod joint (1) using 3 arms puller (2).
CAUTION: To prevent any problem caused by washing solution, do not wash tripod joint except its housing. Degreasing of tripod joint with cloth is allowed.

Fig 3: Removing Tripod Joint Using Arms Puller
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Pull out boot and small band of differential side, center shaft side or transfer side.
Remove damper from shaft, if equipped.
Remove wheel side boot big band as follows.
1. Draw hooks of boot big band together and remove band.
  
  Fig 4: Removing Wheel Side Boot Big Band
  Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.
Undo caulking (1) of wheel side boot small band (2) using flat end rod (3) or the like, then pull out wheel side boot (4) from shaft.

Fig 5: Pulling Out Wheel Side Boot From Shaft
Courtesy of SUZUKI OF AMERICA CORP.