Replacing drive shafts (Renault Espace III)

Drive shafts are delivered as spare parts in cardboard protective packages, which protects the elastic corrugated joint covers from damage during transportation. It is recommended to remove these protective packages immediately before installing the drive shaft on the vehicle. The right drive shaft of vehicles with a PK1 gearbox can be removed separately if the intermediate shaft remains in place, thus eliminating the possibility of damage to the differential oil seal

Removal

• Remove the wheels.
• Loosen the nut securing the steering rod end to the steering knuckle.
• Using the Tav. 476 puller, press the steering tie rod end joint pin out of the steering knuckle.
• Install the protective cover onto the outer joint boot of the drive shaft.
• Remove the front floating brake caliper bracket and secure it to the suspension spring to protect the brake hose from damage.
• Release the ABS sensor wires from the mounting brackets
• Use a special device to block the hub from turning.
• Loosen the nut securing the drive shaft to the hub.

Caution: Do not block the hub from turning by pressing the brake pedal, as this may damage or cut off the brake disc mounting bolts.

Right side of the car

Gearbox RK

• It is possible to remove only the outer part of the drive shaft. In this case, cut the clamp holding the boot to the inner joint housing and disconnect the drive shaft.

Note: The hinge housing does not have a stopper and can be removed without effort.

• Do not remove the rollers from the journals, as the rollers and bearing needles are matched to each other and cannot be mixed up under any circumstances.
• If the drive shaft is removed as an assembly, unscrew the two bolts securing the bearing retaining plate of the intermediate support of the drive shaft (Fig. 8.4)

Gearbox JC5

• Using punch B.Vi. 31-01, knock out the elastic pin securing the right drive shaft to the differential output shaft (Fig. 8.5).

Left side of the car

• Drain the transmission oil from the gearbox.
• Remove the three bolts securing the protective bellows cover of the left drive shaft inner joint

On both sides of the car

• Unscrew the upper bolt securing the shock absorber to the steering knuckle and remove it, leaving the lower bolt in place.
• Loosen the lower shock absorber strut-to-steering knuckle bolt, but do not remove it.
• Using the T.Av. 1050-02 puller, secured to the brake disc, press the drive shaft out of the front wheel hub.

Note: The drive shafts are glued to the hubs, so a puller must be used to remove them.

• Remove the lower shock absorber strut-to-steering knuckle mounting bolt.
• Tilt the steering knuckle and remove the splined shank of the outer joint of the drive shaft from the hub.
• Carefully remove the drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation

Note: Drive shafts are supplied as spare parts in cardboard protective packaging, which protects the elastic corrugated protective covers of the CV joints from damage during transportation.

• Do not remove the cardboard covers until the drive shaft is fully installed on the vehicle.
• Do not use tools with sharp edges that may damage the bellows.

Information is located on the website www.RenaultBook.ru

Left side of the car

• Clean the place where the elastic corrugated protective cover of the CV joint is attached to the gearbox
• Remove the protective packaging of the elastic corrugated protective boot from the gearbox side and, with the drive shaft positioned as close to horizontal as possible, install it into the gearbox.
• Install the three bolts securing the protective cover holder to the gearbox and tighten them to the specified torque.

Right side of the car

Gearbox RK

• Clean the bearing seat in the intermediate support.
• Check the condition of the seal seat on the intermediate shaft

Note: It is recommended to replace the differential flange seal whenever the drive shaft is removed.

JC gearbox

• Without removing the casing, apply MOLYKOTE BR2 grease to the splines of the inner joint tailpiece of the drive shaft.
• Position the drive shaft opposite the axle gear and place the shaft onto the axle gear splines.
• Use the L-shaped punch B.VI. 31-01 to check the position of the drive shaft.
• Using punches B.Vi. 31-01, install two new elastic pins. The entry chamfer of the hole in the axle gear facilitates installation of the new elastic pin. Seal the ends of the pins with Rhodorseal 5661.

On both sides of the car

• Apply LOCTITE SCELBLOC to the hub splines.

Note: To make it easier to clean the splines in the hub, use the cut end of the old drive shaft.

• Install the drive shaft into the axle gear, and then insert the splined shank of the outer joint of the shaft into the hub.
• The splined shank of the outer joint of the drive shaft should freely enter the hub of the front wheel until the thread appears for screwing on the drive shaft fastening nut. If difficulties arise, use the T.Av. 602 puller.
• Further installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal.
• Press the brake pedal several times to press the brake pads against the brake disc.
• Remove the protective packaging of the elastic corrugated protective cover from the wheel side.
• Install the wheels and lower the vehicle.