Left-Hand Drive Axle, Output Shaft & Seal Replace
LEFT FRONT DRIVE AXLE, OUTPUT SHAFT AND SEAL1982-85 ELDORADO, RIVIERA, SEVILLE & TORONADO
Removal
1. Raise front of vehicle and place jack stands under front frame horns.
2. Remove wheel and tire assembly.
3. Remove cotter pin, nut and shield from tie rod pivot, then using puller J-24319, detach tie rod end from steering knuckle.
4. Remove cotter pin, nut and washer from drive axle, then remove six screws attaching drive axle to output shaft. To prevent drive axle from rotating when removing nut or attaching screws, insert a drift through opening on top of caliper into corresponding rotor vane.
5. Remove cotter pin and nut from upper ball joint stud nut, then remove brake hose clip from stud and loosely reinstall nut.
6. Using a hammer and brass drift, rap on steering knuckle to free upper ball joint stud. Use care not to damage brake hose or steering knuckle.
7. Remove nut and separate upper ball joint from steering knuckle.
8. Guide drive axle out of steering knuckle and remove from vehicle.
9. Remove front nut and bolt from left-hand frame brace, then pivot brace outward to provide clearance.
10. Using a hammer and brass drift, drive on flange end of output shaft until shaft releases from retaining ring, then remove output shaft.
11. Using a suitable pry bar, pry output shaft seal from housing. Pry at two or three locations to avoid cocking seal. Use care not to damage housing.
Installation
1. Using tool No. J-28518, install output shaft seal. Rotate tool to maintain proper alignment when installing seal.
2. Apply wheel bearing grease between lips of seal.
3. Index splines of output shaft with splines of side gear in final drive assembly then install shaft by tapping center of flange end with a soft faced mallet until retaining ring snaps into shaft groove. Ensure shaft is securely locked into position. When installing output shaft, use care not to damage seal.
4. Guide drive axle into position and install splined end into steering knuckle.
5. Position upper ball joint stud into steering knuckle, then place brake hose clip on stud and install nut. Torque nut to 60 lb ft, then install cotter pin. The nut may be tightened an additional 1/6 turn to align cotter pin slots.
6. Install six screws attaching output shaft to drive axle. Torque screws to 60 lb ft
7. Install drive axle water nut, retainer and cotter pin. Torque nut to 175 lb ft and bend cotter pin so that retainer is held snugly.
8. Install tie rod pivot on steering knuckle. Torque nut to 44 lb ft The nut may be tightened an additional 1/6 turn to align cotter pin slots.
9. Install left-hand frame brace bolt and nut. Torque bolt to 50 lb ft
10. Install wheel and tire assembly, then lower vehicle and check output shaft seal for leakage.