Drive shaft — removal and installation (Renault Clio 1)

Note: You will need a ball joint puller, a new drive shaft nut and, when working on the right-hand drive shaft on manual transmission models, a new differential side pinion shaft seal (where necessary) new roll pins and suitable sealant – see text. On models with automatic transmission, Molykote BR2 grease is required.

Removal

1. Apply the handbrake, then jack up the front of the car and support it on axle stands. Remove the front wheel.

2. Install at least two wheel bolts into the hub and tighten them securely. Have an assistant firmly press the brake pedal to lock the hub. Alternatively, make a forked tool from two pieces of steel strip (one long, one short) and nuts and bolts; the nut and bolt form the bifurcation point of the tool. Attach the tool to the hub using two wheel bolts and hold it still. Using a socket and extension rod, loosen and remove the drive shaft retaining nut and washer (see illustration).



This nut is extremely tight and must be replaced once removed.



3. Remove the two bolts securing the brake caliper assembly to the steering knuckle and remove the caliper assembly from the disc. Use a piece of wire or twine to tie the caliper to the front suspension spring so as not to put tension on the brake hose.

4. Loosen and remove the nut securing the ball joint of the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Release the ball joint pin using a universal puller (see illustration).



5. Loosen and remove the two nuts and washers from the bolts securing the steering knuckle to the suspension strut. Please note that the nuts are located on the back of the rack. Remove the top bolt and leave the bottom one in its working position for now (see illustration).

Left drive shaft - models with manual transmission

6. Place a suitable container under the transmission drain plug, then remove the plug and allow the oil to drain. Clean the drain plug threads and install it into the transmission, tightening it securely.

7. Loosen and remove the three bolts securing the flexible boot mounting plate to the transmission (see illustration).



8. Move the upper part of the steering knuckle outward so that the CV joint tripod comes out of the half joint. Be prepared for some oil to come out (see illustration).



Then make sure that the tripod rollers do not fall off their supports.



9. Remove the lower bolt securing the steering knuckle to the suspension strut. Taking care not to damage the drive shaft boots, release the outer CV joint from the hub and remove the drive shaft. Please note that the grooves of the outer CV joint are coated with a blocking compound. To dislodge the CV joint from the hub, use a hammer and a punch made of soft metal, or a puller (see illustration).

Right drive shaft - models with manual transmission

Note: On some late models the roll pins on the inner end of the drive shaft are not used, the splined end of the pivot shaft is spring loaded to allow it to be retained in the differential side gear input shaft - ignore references to removing and installing the pins on such vehicles.

10. Rotate the drive shaft so that the cylindrical pins that secure the inner CV joint to the differential axle shaft become visible. Drive out the pins using a hammer and a 5mm punch (see illustration).





Use new roll pins when installing.

11. Move the top of the steering knuckle outward so that the grooves of the inner CV joint are released from the differential axle shaft. Remove the O-ring from the grooves of the axle gear shaft.

12. Remove the drive shaft as described in step 9.

Both drive shafts are automatic transmission models

13. Loosen and remove the six bolts and washers securing the inner CV joint to the transmission drive flange. Turn the shaft as needed to access the bolts.

14. Move the top of the steering knuckle outward and separate the inner CV joint from the drive flange.

15. Remove the drive shaft as described in step 9.

Installation

16. All new genuine Renault drive shaft covers are protected by cardboard or plastic packaging to prevent damage. Even a slight impact on the protective cover can puncture it, allowing water and dirt to enter, which can lead to premature failure of the CV joint. If you are installing the same drive shaft, make a similar cardboard packaging yourself. It can be held in working position with rubber bands until the end of the installation procedure.

Left drive shaft - models with manual transmission

17. Wipe the transmission wall dry. Insert the CV joint tripod into the differential axle pinion half-joint, keeping the drive shaft as close to horizontal as possible.

18. Align the protective cover mounting plate with the bolt holes. Install the mounting bolts and tighten them to the torque specified in the Specifications. Make sure the protective cover is not twisted.



19. Make sure the outer CV joint grooves and wheel hub are clean and dry. If a new Nyloc type drive shaft nut is installed, apply locking compound to the grooves.

20. Move the top of the steering knuckle inward while simultaneously inserting the drive shaft into the hub.

21. Place the hub completely onto the drive shaft grooves, then insert the two suspension strut mounting bolts (from the front side of the rack). Install nuts and washers onto the bolts and tighten them to the tightening torque specified in the Specifications (see Section 10).

22. Install a washer on the end of the shaft (nyloc type nuts only - later self-locking nuts have a built-in washer), then screw on the new drive shaft mounting nut and tighten it by hand for now.

23. Connect the steering rod ball joint to the steering knuckle and tighten its mounting nut to the tightening torque specified in the Specifications (see Section 10).

24. Place the brake caliper assembly in its operating position on the brake disc. Install the caliper mounting bolts, after applying a few drops of locking compound to their threads, and tighten them to the tightening torque specified in the Specifications (see Section 9).

25. Lock the hub using the method used during removal, then tighten the new drive shaft retaining nut to the torque specified in Specifications (see illustration).





Make sure the hub rotates freely, then remove the protective packaging from the drive shaft boots, being careful not to damage the boots.

26. Install the wheel. Lower the vehicle to the ground and tighten the wheel bolts to the torque specified in the Specifications.

27. Fill the transmission with oil (see Section 1).

Right drive shaft - models with manual transmission

Note: On some late models the roll pins on the inner end of the drive shaft are not used, the splined end of the pivot shaft is spring loaded to allow it to be retained in the differential side gear input shaft - ignore references to removing and installing the pins on such vehicles.

28. Make sure that the grooves of the inner CV joint and the differential axle gear shaft are clean and dry. Apply a small amount of molybdenum grease to the grooves. Install a new O-ring onto the end of the side gear shaft and slide it along the shaft until the seal contacts the transmission seal (see illustration).



29. Align the drive shaft grooves with the axle gear shaft grooves, aligning the holes for the cylindrical pins (see illustration).





Slide the drive shaft along the axle shaft until the pin holes align.

30. Drive the new pins into place, aligning their grooves at a 90° angle to each other, then seal the ends of the pins with sealant (renault CAF 4/60 THIXO paste or equivalent) (see illustrations).





31. Follow the procedures described in paragraphs 19-26.

Both drive shafts are automatic transmission models

32. Make sure that the contact surfaces of the inner CV joint and the transmission drive flange are clean and dry. Fill the drive flange recess with Molykole BR2 grease.

33. Connect the inner CV joint of the drive shaft to the drive flange of the transmission, then install the six mounting bolts. Tighten the bolts securely and remove any excess grease.

34. Follow the procedures described in paragraphs 19-26.