Operation CHARM: Car repair manuals for everyone.

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

FRONT DRIVE AXLE REPLACEMENT

Removal Procedure





1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle with safety stands. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation In Steering and Suspension and Suspension.
3. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into 1 of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the drive axle wheel drive shaft from turning.





4. Remove the nut (2) and the washer (3) from the hub. Do not reuse the nut. A new nut must be used when installing the wheel drive shaft.
5. Remove the 6 bolts (1) securing the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange.
6. Remove the drift from the rotor.
7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (RWD) or Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (4WD) In Steering and Suspension and Suspension.
8. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.
9. Pull the wheel drive shaft through the lower control arm opening.


Installation Procedure





1. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.

Important: Clean the steering knuckle and the wheel drive shaft splines and threads. These areas must be dry and free of grease, dirt, and contamination.

2. Insert the wheel drive shaft splined shank into the knuckle hub.

Notice: Use only a genuine GM front wheel drive shaft nut. Installation of anything but an OEM front wheel drive shaft nut could cause damage to the vehicle.

3. Install the washer (3) and the new hub nut (2) to the wheel drive shaft. Do not tighten.
4. Attach the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange using the inboard flange bolts (1).

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.





5. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into 1 of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning.
^ Tighten the inboard flange bolts to 78 Nm (58 ft. lbs.).
^ Tighten the hub nut to 240 Nm (177 ft. lbs.).
6. Remove the drift from the rotor.
7. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (RWD) or Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (4WD) In Steering and Suspension and Suspension.
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation In Steering and Suspension and Suspension.
9. Lower the vehicle.