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Kia Carnival / Sedona factory workshop and repair manual download

Straight, practical guide for replacing an output-shaft (axle) seal on a Kia Carnival / Sedona for a beginner mechanic. Includes theory, every component you will touch, step-by-step procedure, tips, what can go wrong and safety notes. Read fully before you start.

Summary / theory (why this repair is needed)
- The output-shaft/axle seal (often called the transmission or transaxle output seal or axle seal) sits where the rotating half‑shaft (CV axle) exits the transmission/transaxle. Its job is to keep transmission/transaxle fluid inside while letting the shaft rotate.
- Think of it like the rubber washer in a faucet: the shaft is the faucet stem and the seal is the washer. If the washer hardens/cracks, water leaks and pressure/flow suffer; similarly a bad seal lets gear oil leak out, causing low fluid, overheating, poor lubrication and eventual transmission damage.
- Seals wear from heat, age, contaminated fluid, torn CV boots (contamination travels) or from installation damage. Replace the seal before fluid loss causes internal damage.

Major components — what each one is and what it does
- Wheel and wheel studs: wheel is removed to access brakes/hub.
- Brake caliper and pads: clamp onto rotor. Must be removed or moved aside.
- Brake rotor (disc): mounts to hub.
- Wheel hub / knuckle assembly: holds wheel bearing and hub studs; axle passes through hub.
- Wheel bearing: supports hub; spacing/torque matters when reinstalling.
- CV axle / halfshaft: transmits torque from transaxle to wheel. Has outer and inner CV joints and splines that engage the transaxle or differential.
- Axle nut (and retainer/cotter pin if present): Secures axle to hub.
- Outer CV joint boot / inner CV boot: keep grease in CV joints; if torn, contamination can accelerate wear and seal failure.
- Axle snap ring / circlip (on some designs): small ring at inner shaft that locks the axle into the transaxle bore when inserted.
- Transaxle/transmission output housing: where the seal sits; contains fluid and rotating gearsets.
- Output-shaft (axle) seal: rubber/metal ring pressed into the transaxle housing; inner lip rides on the axle to hold fluid.
- ABS tone ring and wheel-speed sensor (possibly nearby): watch these when removing hub components.
- Seals, bolts, dust shields, and retaining clips are small but important.

Tools, parts & consumables (minimum)
- Service manual or OEM torque specs and fluid type (must consult for exact torques/fluid).
- Jack & sturdy jack stands (not just a jack).
- Wheel chocks, wheel brace.
- Socket set (including large socket for axle nut — size varies by model), breaker bar, torque wrench.
- Hex/Allen/torx bits, wrenches, pliers.
- Pry bar, flat screwdriver, seal puller, pick set.
- Hammer, rubber mallet, punch.
- Seal driver or appropriately sized socket (to drive new seal flush).
- Axle puller/slide hammer or hub puller (if axle stuck).
- Drain pan, rags, brake cleaner.
- New output shaft seal (OEM or high-quality aftermarket), possibly new axle nut, new cotter pin if used.
- Transmission/transaxle fluid of correct type and amount (check manual).
- Anti-seize, grease for splines, thread locker if manual specifies.
- Safety gloves, eye protection.

Preparation & safety (non-negotiable)
- Work on level ground, chock opposite wheels, engage parking brake.
- Use jack stands under solid lift points — never rely on a jack alone.
- Wear eye protection and gloves.
- Have a fire extinguisher and absorbent for spills.
- Clean work area to avoid losing small parts.

Step-by-step procedure (general; adapt for your year/model)
Important: exact bolt locations, removal sequences and torque specs differ by year and configuration. Use the factory manual for those specifics.

1) Preliminary: loosen axle nut on the ground
- Slightly loosen (not remove) the axle nut while vehicle is on the ground so the wheel can’t spin. This often requires a strong breaker bar and correct large socket.

2) Lift vehicle and remove wheel
- Raise vehicle, safely secure on jack stands, remove wheel.

3) Remove brake caliper and rotor
- Unbolt caliper slide bolts and hang caliper with wire or bungee; do NOT let it hang by the brake hose.
- Remove rotor. If stuck, tap with rubber mallet.

4) Remove hub/axle retaining hardware
- Remove any dust cap, cotter pin, and retaining cap from axle nut assembly if present.
- Fully remove axle nut.
- On some models you remove the hub bearing assembly bolts to access/withdraw the axle; on others you can pull the axle out through the hub without removing the bearing. Follow the vehicle’s layout.

5) Free the axle from the hub
- With the axle nut removed, you may need to separate the axle from the hub. Use a hub puller, or strike the hub (not the axle) to shock it loose. Do NOT hammer the CV joint directly.
- If the axle is splined into the hub and stuck, use a slide hammer or disconnect lower ball joint/strut to allow the knuckle to move and free the shaft.

6) Disconnect inner CV from transaxle
- Pry the inner CV shaft out of the transaxle carefully using a pry bar between the transaxle casing and the inner CV joint housing. Expect some fluid to leak — have a drain pan.
- On designs with a snap ring/circlip, the axle will unclip and come out once you pull it past the retainer. Support the transaxle slightly if you need to move or avoid stressing mounts.

7) Inspect removed axle and components
- Check inner and outer CV boots for tears or grease loss. Replace axle if CV joints are worn or boots torn.
- Inspect splines for wear, rust, or nicks.

8) Remove old output shaft seal
- Clean area around seal. Use a seal puller or small pry tool to remove the old seal. Work evenly; take care not to scratch or gouge the metal bore/edge.
- Note orientation — the lip faces the fluid (i.e., the open mouth faces the fluid inside the transaxle).

9) Clean and inspect bore and shaft
- Clean the bore thoroughly, remove sludge, metal flakes. Inspect shaft surface where seal lip rides — it must be smooth. If shaft is deeply scored, seal may fail again; shaft repair or replacement required.

10) Install new output shaft seal
- Lightly lubricate the new seal lip with the correct transmission fluid (not grease). This prevents dry start-up wear.
- Align the seal square to the bore and drive it evenly using a seal driver or a socket whose face matches the outer ring. Drive until the seal is flush (or to specified depth). Don’t cock or tilt the seal.
- Verify correct orientation: sealing lip toward fluid; spring (if present) faces outward or inward as per new seal design (flip if unsure — check packaging/instructions).

11) Reinstall axle into transaxle
- If there is a circlip, push the axle into the transaxle until you hear/feel it engage. Some resistance is normal. Make sure it seats fully.
- You may need to rotate the inner CV joint slightly to align splines.

12) Re-engage axle into hub and reassemble
- Slide axle back into hub; reinstall rotor, caliper, and any hub nut retainer.
- Torque axle nut to manufacturer’s specification — this is critical. If you overtighten, you can damage wheel bearings; undertighten can cause play and premature wear. If the hub used a cotter pin, insert a new one.

13) Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
- Torque lug nuts to spec.

14) Refill/check transaxle fluid
- Because some fluid leaked when you pulled the axle, you must top up to the correct level and type. With vehicle level and warm (if required by procedure), fill via dipstick/fill hole to proper level per service manual.
- Some transaxles require checking level at operating temperature — follow manual.

15) Test & check for leaks
- Start engine, rev lightly, check for leaks at new seal and around axle.
- Short low-speed test drive; recheck fluid level and for leaks again.

Helpful tips, do’s and don’ts
- Do NOT install the seal backwards. The lip side always faces the fluid.
- Do lubricate the seal lip with the proper fluid before installation.
- Don’t use RTV or gasket sealers here — they’re not needed and can gum up the lip.
- Don’t bend or notch the bore edge when removing old seal — a nick will rip the new seal.
- If the axle’s shaft surface is rusty or scored, polish lightly with very fine emery or replace the axle — a rough surface will cut the seal lip.
- Always replace any cotter pin, and consider replacing the axle nut if damaged.
- If boot(s) are torn, replace CV boot or whole axle; a new seal will fail quickly if contaminated.

What can go wrong (and how to avoid it)
- Installing the seal backward → immediate leak. Avoid by confirming seal orientation before driving.
- Damaging the bore or shaft during removal → new seal will leak; use proper tools and clean work.
- Not seating seal flush / cocking the seal → partial contact causes leak and rapid wear.
- Overtightening axle nut → bearing preload out of spec → noisy/worn bearing. Use torque wrench and correct spec.
- Forgetting to refill fluid → low fluid causes overheating and transmission damage. Always top up and check level after.
- Not replacing torn CV boots / worn axle → contaminates seal and causes repeated failure.
- Dangling brake hose damage or over-stressing tie-rod/ball joint when separating hub → support components and do controlled disassembly.
- Safety: failing to use jack stands can kill — always use stands.

Troubleshooting after replacement
- If leak persists: ensure seal installed correct orientation and fully seated; inspect shaft for scoring; check that the seal matches part number/size; check for cracks or cast burrs on the housing.
- If a grinding noise after reassembly: check wheel bearing preload/axle nut torque; ensure rotor is seated; check caliper slides.
- If fluid level drops again quickly: internal gearbox damage or incorrect seal — inspect internal output flange and surrounding for damage.

Final checks
- After a few miles, re-torque wheel and axle nut if manual suggests checking after heat cycle.
- Check fluid level after warm-up and short drive.
- Reinspect for leaks after first few drives.

Notes about model specifics
- Exact axle-nut size, bolt patterns, torque specs, transaxle fluid type and fill procedure vary by year and engine/transmission code on Kia Carnival/Sedona. Always cross-check OEM service manual or reliable online repair database for your vehicle’s model year before final torques and fluid choices. Typical axle nut torques for many FWD cars are high (often 150–250 ft-lbs), but do not use a generic number — confirm for your vehicle.

Quick checklist before you start
- New seal (right part), correct fluid, adequate tools, service manual info, jack stands, drain pan, clean rags.

That’s the full practical walkthrough. Follow the safety steps, confirm model-specific torques and fluid, and replace any obviously damaged components (CV boots/axle) while you’re in there.
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