Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement
Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement
Special Tools
J 45859 - Hub Puller.
Removal Procedure
1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. For vehicles with RPO J56, proceed to step 6. For those without RPO J56, proceed to step 4.
4. Insert a drift or punch (1) in the brake rotor and the brake caliper bracket.
5. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch (1) is resting against the brake mounting bracket.
6. Insert a drift or a punch (1) in the brake rotor cooling fins.
7. Place a clean shop towel (2) between the drift or punch and the brake caliper (3).
8. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch (1) is resting against the brake caliper (3).
9. Using a breaker bar (5) and the proper size socket (4), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.
Note: DO NOT reuse wheel drive shaft nut. Discard and replace with NEW only.
10. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft retaining nut (1).
11. Using the J 45859 - puller , separate the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub assembly.
Note: The following service procedure apply's only to the CTS/V series vehicles, ONLY.
12. Remove the knuckle assembly. Refer to Knuckle Replacement (Service and Repair).
13. Support the lower control arm with a jack stand.
14. Remove the lower control arm, if needed. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Lower Control Arm Replacement).
15. Mark the relationship of the wheel drive shaft to the output shaft flange.
16. Remove the wheel drive shaft mounting bolts (2) and the spacer (1) from the differential drive flange.
Note: It maybe necessary to use a flat bladed screw drive to separate the wheel drive shaft from the differential flange.
17. Remove the wheel drive shaft (1) from the vehicle.
Installation Procedure
1. Install the wheel drive shaft (1) in the vehicle.
Note: The following service procedure apply's only to the CTSV series vehicles, ONLY.
2. Install the knuckle assembly. Refer to Knuckle Replacement (Service and Repair).
3. For vehicles with RPO J56, proceed to step 4. For those vehicles without RPO J56, proceed to step 5.
Note: Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the wheel drive shaft threads. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installation of the wheel drive shaft nut.
4. Apply threadlocker to the wheel drive shaft threads (1). Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers ([1][2]Axle Shaft Assembly).
Note: DO NOT reuse wheel drive shaft nut. Discard and replace with NEW only.
5. Hand start the NEW wheel drive shaft retaining nut (1).
6. Align the reference marks on the wheel drive shaft and the output shaft flange.
Note: If reusing the wheel drive shaft bolts, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of the threadlocker to ensure the proper adhesion and retention.
7. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
Note: Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installation of the bolts.
8. Apply threadlocker to the wheel drive shaft bolts. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers ([1][2]Axle Shaft Assembly).
Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).
9. Install the mounting bolts (2) and spacer (1) on the differential drive flange and tighten to 80 Nm (59 lb ft).
10. For vehicles with RPO J56, proceed to step 11. For those without RPO J56, proceed to step 13.
11. Insert a drift or punch (1) in the brake rotor and the brake caliper bracket.
12. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch (1) is resting against the brake mounting bracket.
13. Insert a drift or a punch (1) in the brake rotor cooling fins.
14. Place a clean shop towel (2) between the drift or punch and the brake caliper (3).
15. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch (1) is resting against the brake caliper (3).
Note: Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut slowly to draw the wheel drive shaft into the knuckle prior to torquing to specifications.
16. Using a torque wrench (2), tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 215 Nm (158 lb ft).
17. Install the lower control arm assembly. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Lower Control Arm Replacement).
18. Remove the support from the knuckle.
19. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
20. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.