Left Side

Removal Procedure

^ Tools Required





1. J 37780 Axle Shaft Remover
2. Raise and Support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
3. Remove the following components (if the vehicle is equipped):
^ The 4 skid plate bolts
^ The front skid plate
4. Remove the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Steering and Suspension.
5. Remove the 6 bolts (2) and the flange (1).





6. Remove the drive axle shaft snap ring (1)
7. Remove the drive axle shaft spindle washer (1) from the drive axle shaft.

Caution: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, use the proper tools to support the lower control arm when removing the coil spring. The cog spring is under extreme pressure and can become a projectile should the spring separate from the lower control arm before all of the tension is relieved.

8. Use a hydraulic jack in order to support the front control arm.
9. Remove the following components from the front control arm:
^ The 3 nuts
^ The 3 bolts
10. Separate the following components from the front control arm:
^ The steering knuckle
^ The lower ball joint
11. Slowly lower the hydraulic jack in order to relieve the pressure in the coil spring.
12. Remove the wheel-side joint of the drive axle from the steering knuckle.
13. Remove the wheel-side joint of the drive axle shaft from the steering knuckle.





14. Make a reference mark (2) on the following components in order to ensure correct installation:
^ The inner axle shaft flange (1)
^ The differential side joint flange (3) of the drive axle shaft
15. Remove the following components from the inner axle shaft flange:
^ The 3 bolts
^ The 3 nuts
^ The differential joint flange of the drive axle shaft





16. Remove the drive shaft axle assembly. Refer to J 37780.





17. Remove the drive axle shaft thrust washer.
18. Remove the drive axle shaft oil sea] (1) and set assembly aside.





19. Make a reference mark (2) on the following components in order to ensure correct installation.
^ The inner drive axle flange (1)
^ The differential side joint flange (3) of the drive axle shaft
20. Remove the following components from the inner axle shaft flange:
^ The 3 bolts
^ The 3 nuts
^ The differential joint flange of the drive axle shaft


Installation Procedure





1. Install the drive axle shaft boot band.





2. Install the differential side joint flange of drive axle shaft to the inner axle shaft flange. Be sure to align the reference marks (2) on the inner axle shaft flange (1) and the differential side joint flange (3) of the drive axle shaft.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice Service Precautions.

3. Secure the 3 bolts and the 3 nuts.
^ Tighten the differential side joint bolts and nuts to 55 Nm (41 ft. lbs.).
4. Install the wheel-side joint of the front drive axle shaft into the steering knuckle.
5. Use a hydraulic jack in order to support the front control arm.
6. Install the following components to the front control arm:
^ The steering knuckle
^ The lower ball joint
7. Secure with 3 nuts and 3 bolts.
^ Tighten the lower ball joints and nuts to 85 Nm (63 ft. lbs.).
8. Remove the hydraulic jack.





9. Install the drive axle shaft spindle washer (1) onto the drive axle shaft.
10. Install the drive axle shaft snap ring (2) onto the end of the drive axle.





11. Apply General Motors Sealant, GM P/N 1052366 to the flange (1).
12. Install the flange (1).
13. Install the 6 flange bolts.
14. Secure the flange bolts.
^ Tighten the flange bolts to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
15. Install the front tire and wheel assembly and go the other side of the vehicle. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Steering and Suspension.





16. Install the drive axle oil seal to the drive axle shaft.
17. Install the drive axle shaft assembly to the vehicle.





18. Install the differential side joint flange of the drive axle shaft to the inner axle shaft flange.
19. Be sure to align the reference marks (2) on the inner axle shaft flange (1) and the differential side joint flange (3) of the drive axle shaft.
20. Secure the flange bolts and nuts.
^ Tighten the differential side joint bolts and nuts to 55 (41 ft. lbs.).
21. Install the wheel-side joint of the front drive axle shaft in the steering knuckle.
22. Use a hydraulic jack in order to support the front control arm.
23. Install the following components to the front control arm:
^ The steering knuckle
^ The lower ball joint
24. Secure with the 3 nuts and 3 bolts.
^ Tighten the lower ball joints and nuts to 85 Nm (63 ft. lbs.).
25. Remove the hydraulic jack.





26. Install the flange (1). Install the 6 flange bolts.
27. Secure the flange 6 bolts.
^ Tighten the flange bolts to 48 Nm (35 ft. lbs.).
28. Install the front tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Steering and Suspension.
29. Install the front skid plate to the vehicle (if the vehicle is equipped) and secure with four bolts.
^ Tighten the front skid plate bolts to 54 Nm (40 ft. lbs.).
30. Lower the vehicle.