Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (1500)

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (1500)

Special Tools

J-45859 - Axle Remover

Removal Procedure

Warning

Do not attempt to move vehicle with drive axle(s) removed from wheel bearing. Wheel(s) could fall off, dropping vehicle to the ground and causing personal injury or damage to the vehicle.




1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (Service and Repair).
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
3. Remove the drive axle center cap, if equipped.




4. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver brake rotor.

Note: DO NOT reuse the wheel drive shaft nut. Discard and replace with new.

5. Remove the nut and the washer from the wheel drive shaft.
6. Using the J-45859 - Axle Remover , remove the wheel drive shaft from the hub.




7. Remove the 6 bolts (1) securing the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange.
8. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500))Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500, 3500) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500, 3500)).

Note: DO NOT remove the shop towel from the wheel drive shaft boots until the wheel drive shaft has been re-installed in the vehicle.

9. 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.
10. 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.

Note: 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 into the knuckle.

Caution: 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 wheel drive shaft nut (2) and hand tighten ONLY.

Note: Hand tighten the flange bolts ONLY at this time.

4. Install the flange bolts (1) from the wheel drive shaft to the output shaft flange.





Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

5. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver 1 of the brake rotor.

* Tighten the inboard flange bolts to 79 Nm (58 lb ft).
* Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 255 Nm (188 lb ft).




6. Install the drive axle center cap, if equipped.
7. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (1500))Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500, 3500) (Stabilizer Shaft Replacement (2500, 3500)).
8. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
9. Lower the vehicle.