drivetrain

CV Axles - Front Pair

for 2021 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 · FWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.8 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers the removal and installation of both front CV axles on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine, including separation from the steering knuckle and transmission.

Warnings

⚠️Vehicle must be securely supported on jack stands. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack.

⚠Transmission fluid will drain when axles are removed. Have drain pan ready and expect to lose 1-2 quarts per side.

⚠Axle nut is torqued to 250 Nm and must be loosened with wheel on ground and vehicle weight on suspension to prevent hub/bearing damage.

ℹ️New axles should come with new axle nuts. If reusing old nuts, verify they are in good condition and use new cotter pins or properly stake.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (50-300 Nm range)Essential

19mm socket for lug nutsEssential

30mm or 32mm axle nut socketEssential

17mm wrench and socket for ball joint nutEssential

14mm socket for CV joint boltsEssential

Breaker barEssential

Ball joint separator or pickle forkEssential

Pry barEssential

Hammer

Wire brush

Drain panEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

Parts

Front CV axle - driver side × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
Front CV axle - passenger side × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
Axle nut cotter pin or stake nut × 2 — 90179-06062 or equivalent
Ball joint castle nut × 2 — Inspect and replace if damaged
Toyota WS ATF × 1 — 00289-ATFWS or equivalent

Fluids

Toyota WS ATF — 1 qt

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and set parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
Break loose axle nuts with breaker bar while vehicle is on ground and brakes applied - do not remove yet
Lift front of vehicle and secure on jack stands at manufacturer frame support points
Remove front wheels completely
Place drain pans under transmission to catch ATF from axle seals

Procedure

1
Remove axle nut
Now that vehicle is lifted, completely remove the 30mm or 32mm axle nut from both sides. Remove and discard cotter pin or un-stake the nut first if present. Set nuts aside (they should be replaced with new ones).
2
Disconnect lower ball joint
Remove the 17mm castle nut securing the lower ball joint to the steering knuckle on both sides. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to separate the ball joint from the knuckle. Do not damage the ball joint boot if reusing suspension components.
⚠Ball joint separator tools can damage boots. Use care if not replacing control arms.
3
Separate axle from steering knuckle
Push the steering knuckle outward and pull the axle shaft out of the hub bearing. If axle is stuck, use a brass punch or soft mallet to tap the axle end through the hub. Support the axle to prevent it from hanging by the inner CV joint.
⚠Do not let axle hang by inner CV joint as this can damage the joint or transmission seal.
4
Remove inner CV joint bolts - driver side
Locate the six bolts securing the inner CV joint flange to the transmission output flange on the driver side. Use a 14mm socket to remove all six bolts. Rotate the axle as needed to access all bolts. Support the axle as you remove the final bolts.
Torque spec
CV Joint Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
5
Remove driver side axle
Pull the driver side axle assembly straight out, separating it from the transmission. ATF will drain from the seal area. Allow fluid to drain into pan, then remove axle from vehicle. Plug the transmission opening with a clean rag to minimize fluid loss.
6
Remove passenger side axle
For the passenger side, use a pry bar between the inner CV joint housing and transmission case to carefully pry the axle out of the transmission. The passenger side uses a splined stub shaft that pulls straight out. Be careful not to damage the transmission seal. Allow ATF to drain and plug opening.
⚠Do not pry against transmission case in a way that could crack the housing. Use proper leverage points.
7
Clean and inspect hub and transmission
Clean the hub splines and transmission seal areas with a wire brush. Inspect transmission seals for damage. Inspect hub bearings for play or roughness (this is a good time to replace if needed). Clean the ball joint taper on the steering knuckle.
8
Install passenger side axle
Remove rag from transmission opening. Carefully insert the new passenger side axle into the transmission, aligning the splines. Push firmly until you feel the circlip seat with a distinct click. Tug on the axle to confirm it is locked in place. Insert the outer end through the hub bearing.
ℹ️Ensure axle circlip is properly seated. You should hear and feel a click, and axle should not pull back out.
9
Install driver side axle
Remove rag from transmission opening. Insert the outer end of the driver side axle through the hub bearing first. Then align the inner CV joint flange with the transmission output flange. Hand-thread all six bolts to hold the axle in position before tightening.
10
Torque inner CV joint bolts - driver side
Torque all six inner CV joint flange bolts to specification using a torque wrench. Tighten in a crisscross pattern to ensure even seating. Rotate axle as needed to access all bolts.
Torque spec
CV Joint Bolts61 Nm (45 lb-ft)
11
Reconnect ball joints
Push both steering knuckles back onto the lower ball joint studs. Install the castle nuts and torque to specification. Install new cotter pins through the castle nut slots and ball joint stud holes. Bend cotter pins to secure.
ℹ️If cotter pin holes do not align, tighten nut slightly more (never loosen) until next slot aligns.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
12
Install axle nuts
Install new axle nuts on both sides. Do not fully torque yet - snug them hand-tight with a wrench. The final torque must be done with wheels on ground.
13
Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
Install both front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until wheels touch ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
14
Final torque axle nuts
Lower vehicle completely to ground. Have an assistant apply brakes or place transmission in Park. Torque both axle nuts to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft). Install new cotter pins through castle nut slots if applicable, or properly stake the nut collar into the axle shaft groove per manufacturer specification.
⚠Axle nut must be torqued with vehicle on ground and brakes applied to prevent hub bearing damage.
Torque spec
Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
15
Refill transmission fluid
Check transmission fluid level using dipstick (if equipped) or fill plug. Add Toyota WS ATF as needed to restore proper level. Typically 1-2 quarts total will be needed to replace what was lost. Start engine, cycle through gears, and recheck level with engine at operating temperature.

Reassembly

Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
Verify axle nuts are properly secured with cotter pins or staked
Confirm transmission fluid is at proper level on dipstick
Check that no tools or parts were left in wheel wells or under vehicle

Verification

Test drive vehicle and verify no clicking, popping, or vibration from CV axles during turns and acceleration
Verify no transmission fluid leaks from axle seals after test drive
Recheck axle nut torque and security after 50-100 miles
Verify smooth steering operation with no binding or unusual resistance
Check transmission fluid level again after test drive when at operating temperature