Service Procedure
1. Confirm the condition exists as described in the SERVICE INFORMATION section of this bulletin by test driving the vehicle at constant speeds of 40 to 70 mph with a slight load on the engine throttle. This can best be duplicated by driving up a smooth, straight roadway with a slight incline.2. If the vehicle exhibits a body/floor/seat vibration or a cabin drone noise is heard, complete the following steps to correct the condition.
NOTE:
If the vibration or noise you are experiencing does not match the symptoms described in the Service Information section of this bulletin, be aware that you will need to investigate other causes for that vibration or noise.
A. Place the vehicle on a hoist. Remove the propeller shaft by disconnecting it at the differential input flange and center bearing bracket. Discard the differential input flange bolts/nuts.
NOTE:
Set aside the bolts/nuts from the center bearing bracket, which can later be reused when attaching the replacement propeller shaft to the bracket.
B. Replace the propeller shaft with parts listed in the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin
NOTE:
You must determine whether the vehicle has automatic or manual transmission. The replacement propeller shaft part number differs based on this information (see the PARTS INFORMATION section of this bulletin for further detail).
Use one of the following alignment procedures when installing the replacement propeller shaft. Failure to do so may result in a repeat of the vibration and/or noise condition described in the SERVICE INFORMATION section of this bulletin.
Propeller Shaft Installation Alignment Procedures:
During vehicle assembly, the factory uses a blue or yellow paint mark on the propeller shaft and a white or yellow paint mark on either the differential flange or on the dust cover for alignment purposes (see Figure 1).
These alignment marks fade over time. If the alignment marks are still visible, use Alignment Procedure A below. If the alignment marks are no longer visible, use Alignment Procedure B below.
NOTE:
Each flange bolt position is also marked with paint during vehicle assembly to confirm the bolts have been torqued. Disregard these marks when aligning the flanges.
A. Alignment Procedure If Alignment Marks Are Visible:
1. Install replacement propeller shaft.
NOTE:
Re-use the center bearing nuts and bolts. Torque to 43-55 Nm (32-41 ft-lb.).
2. Align the blue or yellow mark on the rear of the propeller shaft with the white or yellow mark located on the outer edge of the differential flange (see Figure 1).
3. Insert the four new bolts and nuts into the flanges of the propeller shaft and the differential (see the PARTS INFORMATION section of the bulletin for further information). Do not tighten at this time.
4. Rotate the propeller shaft so the maximum run-out mark (white or yellow) on the differential companion flange is in the top position (see Figure 1).
5. Pull down on the propeller shaft while tightening and torquing the four bolts/nuts equally. Torque the bolts/nuts to 69-78 Nm (51-58 ft-lb.).
NOTE:
Make sure the maximum run-out mark on the differential companion flange remains on top while tightening all four bolts.
6. Road test the vehicle and check for excessive body/floor/seat vibration and/or drone noise under the conditions described in SERVICE PROCEDURE, Step 1.
7. If excessive vibration and/or noise is not present, the propeller shaft flange is aligned properly and propeller shaft installation is complete. If vibration and/or noise are present, go on to step 8.
8. Remove the four bolts retaining the propeller shaft flange to the differential flange and rotate the propeller shaft flange 90° clockwise in relation to the position of the differential flange (see Figure 2).
9. With maximum run-out mark on top, pull down on the propeller shaft while tightening and torquing the four bolts/nuts equally. Torque the bolts/nuts to 69-78 Nm (51-58 ft-lb.).
10. Road test the vehicle again and check for vibration and/or noise. If vibration and/or noise still exists, repeat the process of indexing the flange clockwise another 90° and road testing as necessary to determine the alignment position that produces the smoothest operation while driving.
NOTE:
Be sure to index the propeller shaft flange in the same clockwise direction each time.
B. Alignment Procedure If Alignment Marks Are Not Visible:
1. Install replacement propeller shaft.
NOTE:
Re-use the center bearing nuts and bolts. Torque to 43-55 Nm (32-41 ft-lb.).
2. Insert the four new bolts and nuts into the flanges of the propeller shaft and the differential (see the PARTS INFORMATION section of the bulletin for further information). Do not tighten at this time.
3. Pull down on the propeller shaft while tightening and torquing the four bolts/nuts. Torque the bolts/nuts to 69-78 Nm (51-58 ft-lb.).
4. Road test the vehicle and check for excessive body/floor/seat vibration and/or drone noise under the conditions described in SERVICE PROCEDURE, Step 1.
5. If excessive vibration and/or noise is not present, the propeller shaft flange is aligned properly and propeller shaft installation is complete. If vibration and/or noise are present, go on to Step 6.
6. Remove the four bolts retaining the propeller shaft flange to the differential flange and rotate the propeller shaft flange 90� clockwise in relation to the position of the differential flange.
7. Pull down on the propeller shaft while tightening and torquing the four bolts/nuts. Torque the bolts/nuts to 69-78 Nm (51-58 ft-lb.).
8. Road test the vehicle again and check for vibration and/or noise. If vibration and/or noise still exists, repeat the process of indexing the flange clockwise another 90� and road testing as necessary to determine the alignment position that produces the smoothest operation while driving.
NOTE:
Be sure to index the propeller shaft flange in the same clockwise direction each time.