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Home >> Cadillac >> 1997 >> DeVille d Elegance V8-4.6L VIN Y >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints >> Axle Shaft Assembly >> Service and Repair

Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair

FRONT DRIVE AXLE

^ Tools Required:
- J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
- J 28733-B Front Hub Spindle Remover
- J 33008 Axle Shaft Remover
- J 36226 Ball Joint Separator
- J 37292-B Axle Seal Protector

NOTICE: Care must be exercised to prevent inboard joints from being over-extended. When either end of the shaft is disconnected, over-extension of the joint could result in separation of internal components and possible joint failure.

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
1. Raise vehicle and suitably support.
2. Remove the wheel and tire.
3. Loosen or remove stabilizer shaft link assembly bolt as needed. Refer to FRONT SUSPENSION.
4. Ball joint-cotter pin and nut.

NOTICE: Use only the recommended tools for separating the ball joint form knuckle. Failure to use recommended tools may cause damage to the ball joint and seal.

5. Loosen ball joint using J 36226. The grease fitting may have to be removed from the ball joint for tool access. If removing right axle, turn the steering wheel to the left; if removing left axle, turn the steering wheel to the right.

6. With a pry bar between suspension support and lower control arm, separate ball joint from knuckle.





7. Remove the hub nut. Insert drift or screwdriver into caliper and rotor to prevent rotor from turning.








8. Remove the axle from hub using J 28733-B; hub nut may be partially installed to protect threads. Move strut and knuckle rearward.








9. Using J 33008 and J 2619-01, disconnect the drive axle from transaxle.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. If installing right drive axle, install using J 37292-B such that it can be pulled out after the drive axle is installed.





2. Push drive axle into transaxle. Verify that the drive axle is seated by grasping the inner joint housing and pulling. Do not pull on the drive axle shaft.





3. Drive axle into hub and bearing. Install new hub nut. Insert drift or screwdriver into caliper and rotor to prevent the rotor from turning.
- Tighten hub nut to 160 Nm (118 lb ft).
4. Ball joint to knuckle.
5. Cotter pin.
6. If J 37292-B was installed, remove by pulling line with handle. be sure it is completely removed and no pieces are left inside transaxle.
7. Wheel and tire.
- Tighten wheel nuts to 140 Nm (100 lb ft).
8. Lower vehicle.
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