Seals and Gaskets: Service and Repair

Removal Procedure

^ Tools Required
- J 28712 Drive Axle Shaft Boot Protectors

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Vehicle Lifting.
2. Place a drain pan or a suitable container under the transaxle.





3. Remove the transaxle oil level/filler plug (1) from the transaxle.
4. Use a 10 mm hex head socket wrench in order to remove the transaxle drain plug (2) from the transaxle.
5. Drain the transaxle oil.
6. Install J 28712 to the differential-side and the wheel-side joints.
7. Remove the drive axle from the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement in Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints.
8. Remove the drive axle shaft oil seal from the transaxle.

Installation Procedure

^ Tools Required
- J 35538 Axle Shaft Seal Installer
- J 36850 Transjel(R) Transmission Assembly Lubricant
- J 28712 Drive Axle Shaft Boot Protectors





1. Use J 35538 and a hammer in order to install a new drive axle shaft oil seal (1). The spring side of the axle shaft oil seal should face outward.
2. Apply J 36850 to the new drive axle shaft oil seal lip.
3. Inspect the drive axle shaft surface at the location of contact between the seal and the drive axle. The drive axle surface should meet the following conditions:
^ Smooth
^ Free of scoring
^ Free of burrs
4. Install the drive axle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shafts Replacement in Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints.
5. Remove J 28712.
6. Apply GM P/N 12346004 or the equivalent to the threaded portion of the transaxle drain plug.





Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions.

7. Install the transaxle drain plug (2) into the transaxle.
Tighten the transaxle drain plug to 21 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
8. Add approximately 2.4 liters (2.5 qts) of Castrol(R) Syntorq Transmission Fluid GM P/N 12346190, or the equivalent, into the transaxle oil level/filler plug hole. The oil level should be even with the bottom of the transaxle oil level/filler plug hole.
9. Apply GM P/N 1236004 or the equivalent to the transaxle oil level/filler plug threads.
10. Install the transaxle oil level/filler plug (1) into the transaxle.
Tighten the transaxle oil level/filler plug to 21 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
11. Remove the drain pan from under the transaxle.
12. Lower the vehicle.