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Home >> Cadillac >> 2009 >> STS 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

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement




Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

Special Tools

* J 2619-01 - Slide Hammer With Adapter
* J 29794 - Extension
* J 44394-A - Seal Protector
* J 45341 - Axle Shaft Puller
* J 45859 - Wheel Hub 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).

Note:
* The tie rod end DOES NOT have to be completely removed in the following service procedure.
* DO NOT loosen or remove the steering linkage inner tie rod nut.

3. Remove the tie rod end from the knuckle and move to the side. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).
4. For those vehicles without RPO code J56, proceed to step 5. If the vehicles is equipped with RPO code J56, proceed to step 7.




5. Insert a drift or a punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor and rotate the rotor until the drift or punch is against the brake caliper mounting bracket.
6. Using a breaker bar and the proper size socket (1), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.





Note: In the following service procedure, DO NOT place the drift or punch on the bottom of the brake

7. Insert a drift or punch (5) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.
8. Place a clean shop towel (4) between the drift or punch (5) and the brake rotor (1).
9. Using a breaker bar (3) and the proper size socket (2), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.




10. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft nut (1) and replace with NEW.
11. Disconnect the electrical connector wheel speed senor and relocate to the side.
12. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement (Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement).




13. Using the J 45859 - remover , separate the wheel drive shaft from the wheel bearing/hub.




14. Using the J 2619-01 - hammer with adapter , J 29794 - extension , and the J 45341 - puller , separate the wheel drive shaft from the differential.





Caution: J-44394 must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install J-44394 as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.

Note: If servicing the right wheel drive shaft, perform the following.

15. Install the J 44394-A - protector in order to removal the right wheel drive shaft




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




17. Remove and discard the retaining ring (2) and the o-ring (1) from the intermediate shaft. Replace with NEW.

Installation Procedure




1. Install the NEW retaining ring (2) and the o-ring (1) on the intermediate shaft.




2. Position the wheel drive shaft in the vehicle (1).





Caution: J-44394 must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install J-44394 as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.

Note: If servicing the right wheel drive shaft, perform the following.

3. Install the J 44394-A - protector on the differential output shaft.




4. With the J 44394-A - protector in place, install the right wheel drive shaft.
5. Remove the J 44394-A - protector once the splines on the wheel drive shaft have passed the J 44394-A.

Note: If the wheel drive shaft is properly installed, the inner joint will remain in place when pulled outward. DO NOT pull on the wheel drive shaft, pull on the inner housing.

6. Continue to install the wheel drive shaft until the wheel drive shaft is fully seated.




7. Hand start the NEW wheel drive shaft nut (1).
8. For those vehicles without RPO code J56, proceed to step 9. If the vehicles is equipped with RPO code J56, proceed to step 11.




9. Insert a drift or a punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor and rotate the rotor until the drift or punch is against the brake caliper mounting bracket.





Note: In the following service procedure, DO NOT place the drift or punch on the bottom of the brake

10. Insert a drift or punch (1) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.
11. Place a clean shop towel (2) between the drift or punch (1) and the brake caliper (3).
12. Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch (1) is against the brake caliper (3).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

13. Using the torque wrench (5) and the proper size socket (4), tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 215 Nm (159 lb ft).
14. Reconnect the electrical connector for the wheel speed senor.
15. Install the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement (Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement).
16. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
17. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.

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