Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Front (Left)
Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Front (Left)
Tools Required
^ J2619-O1 Slide Hammer With Adapter
^ J29794 Extension
^ J45341 Axle Shaft Puller
^ J45859 Wheel Hub Remover
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the left front tire and wheel assembly.
3. Disconnect the left outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Do NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut.
4. Insert a drift or punch (2) into the brake rotor and against the brake caliper mounting bracket in order to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.
5. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft spindle nut (1) retaining the wheel drive shaft to the hub.
Important: The wheel drive shaft spindle nut must not be reused. Replace the wheel drive shaft spindle nut with a new nut whenever it is removed.
6. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
Important: Be sure that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness is repositioned away from the ball joint after disconnecting the electrical connector from the sensor.
7. Disconnect the left upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.
8. Install the J45859 or equivalent onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts.
Important: Be sure to support the wheel drive shaft until it is fully removed from the vehicle.
9. Using the J45859 or equivalent, disengage the left front wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing and support the wheel drive shaft.
10. Remove J45859 or equivalent from the wheel hub.
11. Assemble the J2619-O1, the J29794, and the J45341.
12. Install J45341 to the wheel drive shaft inner joint pull groove.
13. Using the J2619-O1, the J29794, and the J45341, or an equivalent tool disengage the wheel drive shaft from the intermediate wheel drive shaft.
14. Remove the left front wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.
15. Remove the J2619-O1, the J29794, and the J45341 from the wheel drive shaft inner joint.
16. If reusing the intermediate wheel drive shaft remove and discard the wheel drive shaft retaining ring (2) from the intermediate shaft retaining ring groove. The wheel drive shaft retaining ring is on the splined end of the shaft.
17. If reusing the intermediate wheel drive shaft remove and discard the wheel drive shaft O-ring (1) from the O-ring groove. The O-ring is on the splined end of the shaft.
Installation Procedure
1. Install a new O-ring (1) to the intermediate wheel drive shaft O-ring groove.
2. Install the new wheel drive shaft retaining ring (2) to the retaining ring groove. The intermediate wheel drive shaft retaining ring groove is on the splined end of the shaft.
3. Apply a small amount of grease GM P/N 01051344 (Canadian P/N 993037) or equivalent to the intermediate wheel drive shaft splines.
4. Install the left front wheel drive shaft to the intermediate wheel drive shaft.
5. Verify that the left front wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the intermediate wheel drive shaft by grasping the inner joint housing and pulling outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive shaft bar. The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.
6. Install the left wheel drive shaft to the hub and bearing.
7. Install the left upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
8. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
9. Loosely install the NEW wheel drive shaft spindle nut.
Important: Ensure that the drive shaft seals do not have any abrasions, cuts or punctures.
10. Insert a drift or punch (1) into the rotor and against the caliper mounting bracket in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.
11. Use the New wheel drive shaft spindle nut to slowly pull the spindle to the wheel hub and bearing assembly.
Tighten the wheel drive shaft spindle nut to 160 Nm (118 ft. lbs.).
Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.
12. Connect the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
13. Install the left tire and wheel assembly.
14. Lower the vehicle.