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Home >> Buick >> 2012 >> LaCrosse AWD V6-3.6L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints >> Axle Shaft Assembly >> Service and Repair >> Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (GNB)

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (GNB)




Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement (GNB)

Special Tools

DT 44394-A - Seal Protector

For regional equivalent tools, refer Special Tools Tools and Equipment.

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. Insert a drift or punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.
4. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch contacts the brake caliper mounting bracket.
5. Using a breaker bar (1), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.
6. Using the appropriate tool, separate the wheel drive shaft from the knuckle.




7. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (1).
8. Remove the lower control arm from the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNA) Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNA)Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNB) Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNB).
9. Remove the outer tie rod end from the knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Inspection Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Inspection.
10. Using a large screw driver, remove the wheel drive shaft (1) from the differential





Note:
* It may be necessary to have an assistant hold the knuckle assembly while removing the wheel drive shaft.
* If removing the wheel drive shaft to service other suspension or driveline components, use care when removing or installing the wheel drive shaft so as not to damage the wheel drive shaft boots

Note: The front axle shaft seal must be replaced once the wheel drive shaft has been removed. Replace with NEW only. DO NOT reuse the front axle shaft seal.

11. Remove the wheel drive shaft (1) from the vehicle.





Note: If there is no washer on the wheel drive shaft, install a NEW washer.

12. Remove and discard the washer (1) from the wheel drive shaft (2). DO NOT re-use the washer, replace with NEW only.
13. Remove the front axle shaft seal.

* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T30/6T40/6T45/6T50, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side for the right front axle shaft seal.
* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T70/6T75 transmission, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side for the right front axle shaft seal.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the NEW front axle shaft seal.

* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T30/6T40/6T45/6T50, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side for the right front axle shaft seal.
* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T70/6T75 transmission, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side for the right front axle shaft seal.





Caution: Wheel drive shaft seal protector must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install the wheel drive shaft seal protector as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.

2. Install the DT 44394-A - protector into the differential, if removed.




3. Position the wheel drive shaft (1) in the vehicle.
4. Remove the DT 44394-A - protector from the differential.
5. Insert the wheel drive shaft in the knuckle.
6. Install the lower control arm in the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNA) Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNA)Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNB) Lower Control Arm Replacement (GNB).
7. Install the outer tie rod end in the knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Inspection Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Inspection.




8. Install the wheel drive shaft nut (1).




9. Insert a drift or punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.
10. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch contacts the brake caliper mounting bracket.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.

11. Using a torque wrench (1), tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 150 Nm (111 lb ft), then back off 45°, then re-torque to 250 Nm (184 lb ft) .
12. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation Service and Repair.
13. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

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