Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring. Manual - part 171

Inner diameter: 53 mm {2.1 in} or more

Inner depth: 7.5 mm {0.30 in} or more  

Fig. 46: Pressing Dust Seal (Axle Side) With SST 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

REAR DRIVE SHAFT PRE-INSPECTION 

1. Inspect each connecting part for looseness. 



Tighten or replace parts if necessary.  

2. Inspect the dust boot on the drive shaft for cracks, damage, leaking grease, and looseness in the boot 

band.  

3. Inspect the drive shaft for bends, cracks, and wear in the joints or splines. 



Repair or replace the drive shaft or boot band if necessary. 

Fig. 47: Locating Dust Boot 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

REAR DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION 

CAUTION:



Performing the following procedures without first removing the ABS 
wheel-speed sensor may possibly cause an open circuit in the 

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Drive Shaft - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 9:50:58 AM

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1. Remove the rear ABS wheel-speed sensor. (See REAR ABS WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR 

REMOVAL/INSTALLATION [AWD] .)  

2. Drain the rear differential oil into a container. (See DIFFERENTIAL OIL REPLACEMENT .)  

3. Remove the rear lateral link. (See REAR LATERAL LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)  

4. Remove the rear coil spring. (See REAR COIL SPRING REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)  

5. Remove the rear lower arm. (See REAR LOWER ARM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .)  

6. Remove in the order indicated in the table.  

7. Install in the reverse order of removal.  

8. After installation, add the specified rear differential oil. (See DIFFERENTIAL OIL 

REPLACEMENT .)  

9. Inspect the rear wheel alignment and adjust it if necessary. (See REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT 

[AWD] .) 

Fig. 48: Identifying Rear Drive Shaft Components & Torque Specifications 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

harness if it is pulled by mistake. Before performing the following 
procedures, remove the ABS wheel-speed sensor (wheel side) and fix 
it to an appropriate place where the sensor will not be pulled by 
mistake while the vehicle is being serviced.  

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Drive Shaft - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 9:50:58 AM

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© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

REAR DRIVE SHAFT REMOVAL NOTE

1. Disengage the rear drive shaft using the SSTs. 

CLIP INSTALLATION NOTE 

1. Install a new clip onto the joint shaft with the opening facing upward. Ensure that the diameter of the clip 

does not exceed the specification on installation.  

2. After installation, measure the outer diameter. If it exceeds the specification, repeat Steps 1-2 using a new 

clip. 

Clip outer diameter specification 29.5 mm {1.16 in} max.  

Fig. 50: Identifying Clip Outer Diameter 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

REAR DRIVE SHAFT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY 

1. Disassemble in the order indicated in the table.  

2. Assemble in the reverse order of disassembly. 

NOTE:



Be careful not to damage the rear differential oil seal. 

Fig. 49: Disengaging Rear Drive Shaft With SST 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Drive Shaft - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 9:50:58 AM

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© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC. 

Fig. 51: Identifying Rear Drive Shaft Components 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

BOOT BAND (WHEEL SIDE) DISASSEMBLY NOTE 

1. Remove the boot clamp with end clamp pliers as shown and discard the clamp. 

NOTE:



The boot band does not need to be removed unless it is being replaced. 

 

2008 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring 

2008 DRIVELINE/AXLES Drive Shaft - Mazda CX-9

  

Microsoft 

 

Sunday, November 15, 2009 9:50:58 AM

Page 33 

© 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.