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Home >> Cadillac >> 2008 >> DTS V8-4.6L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints >> Axle Shaft Assembly >> Service and Repair >> Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - With RPO FE7

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - With RPO FE7



Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (FE7)


Tools Required
* J 2619-O1 Slide Hammer With Adapter
* J 29794 Extension
* J 33008-A Wheel Drive Shaft Remover
* J 45859 Hub Spindle Remover



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. If equipped with road sensing suspension, disconnect the level sensor link from the ball stud on the lower control arm. Refer to Electronic Suspension Front Position Sensor Replacement (Electronic Suspension Front Position Sensor Replacement) .
4. Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle; do NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement (Service and Repair) .
5. Insert a drift or punch into the brake rotor and against the brake caliper in order to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.





Important: The front wheel drive axle nut must not be reused. Replace the front wheel drive axle nut with a NEW nut whenever it is removed.


6. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft spindle nut retaining the wheel drive shaft to the hub.
7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE7) (Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE7))Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE1, FE3) (Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE1, FE3)) .

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.


8. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
9. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE7) (Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE7))Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE1, FE3) (Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE1, FE3)) .




10. Install the J 45859 , CJ129 Universal Hub Puller - Snap-on, 7394 Universal Hub Puller - OTC, or equivalent to the wheel bearing/hub.
Important: Be sure to support the wheel drive shaft until it is fully removed from the vehicle.



11. Using the J 45859 , CJ129 Universal Hub Puller - Snap-on, 7394 Universal Hub Puller - OTC, or equivalent , carefully disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub.




12. Assemble the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 33008-A .
13. Using the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J 33008-A , disengage the wheel drive shaft (2) from the transaxle (1).
14. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.



Installation Procedure





1. Install the wheel drive shaft (2) to the transaxle (1).
2. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the transaxle by grasping the inner tripot 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.




3. Install the wheel drive shaft to the hub and bearing (2).
4. Connect the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE7) (Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE7))Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE1, FE3) (Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement (FE1, FE3)) .
5. Connect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
6. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE7) (Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE7))Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE1, FE3) (Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (FE1, FE3)) .
7. Insert a drift or punch (1) into the rotor and against the caliper in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.

Important: The male threads of the wheel drive axle must be free of residue and debris prior to reapplication of threadlocker in order to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention.


8. Thoroughly clean the residue from the male threads of the wheel drive axle by using denatured alcohol or equivalent and allow to dry.
9. Apply threadlocker GM US P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent to two-thirds of the threaded length of male threads of the wheel drive axles. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the threads.
10. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately ten minutes before installation.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice (Fastener Notice) .

11. Install the new wheel drive shaft spindle nut to the wheel drive shaft.

Tighten the wheel drive shaft spindle nut to 230 N.m (170 lb ft).

12. Connect the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement (Service and Repair) .
13. If equipped with road sensing suspension, connect the level sensor link to the ball stud on the lower control arm. Refer to Electronic Suspension Front Position Sensor Replacement (Electronic Suspension Front Position Sensor Replacement) .
14. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair) .
15. Lower the vehicle.


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