GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Axle Shaft and Seal Replacement Left Innr Shaft, Bearing, Seal

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 37780 Axle Shaft Remover
    • J 26941 Knuckle Seal Remover
    • J 29369-1 Axle Bearing Remover
    • J 23907 Slide Hammer
  1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the left drive axle shaft from the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  3. Use the following steps in order to remove the left inner axle shaft from the front axle housing:
  4. 3.1. Install the J 37780 between the front axle housing and the left inner angle shaft flange.
    3.2. Gently tap the left inner shaft away from and out of the housing.

    Object Number: 174551  Size: SH
  5. Use the following steps in order to remove the left inner axle shaft oil seal (1) from the front axle housing:
  6. 4.1. Install the J 26941 into the left inner axle shaft oil seal (1) .
    4.2. Tighten the thumb screw on the J 26941 in order to ensure that the J 26941 has a firm grasp on the left inner axle shaft oil seal (1).
    4.3. Attach the J 23907 onto the J 26941 .
    4.4. Gently tap the left inner shaft oil seal (1) out of the front axle housing.
  7. Remove the left inner axle shaft bearing snap ring from the front axle housing.

  8. Object Number: 174556  Size: SH
  9. Use the following steps in order to remove the left inner axle shaft bearing (1):
  10. 6.1. Install the J 29369-1 into the left inner axle shaft bearing (1).
    6.2. Tighten the thumb screw in order to ensure that the remover has a firm grasp on the bearing.
    6.3. Attach the J 23907 to the J 29369-1 .
    6.4. Gently tap the bearing (1) out of the front axle housing.
  11. Inspect the left inner axle shaft bearing for the following conditions:
  12. • Roughness
    • Excessive wear
    • Replace the bearing if the bearing exhibits any of the previous conditions.
  13. Inspect the left inner axle shaft surface at the point where the left inner axle seal contacts the shaft surface. Inspect the shaft surface for the following conditions:
  14. • Scoring
    • Burrs
    • Replace the shaft if the surface displays any of the previous conditions metioned above.

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 33833 Axle Bearing Installer
    • J 37770 Axle Shaft Oil Seal Installer
    • J 8092 Driver Handle

    Object Number: 174560  Size: SH

    Important: The right and the left side axle shaft oil seals must be installed into the front axle housing at different depths.

    The J 37770 is two sided. One side is stamped with the letter R. The other side is stamped with the letter L. The R and L letters ensure correct installation of the axle shaft oil seals.

    If either axle shaft oil seal is installed incorrectly, the seal may leak. A leak may cause damage to the seal and/or the internal components.

  1. Use the J 33833 with the J 8092 in order to install the left inner axle shaft bearing (1) into the front axle housing.

  2. Object Number: 174553  Size: SH
  3. Install the left inner axle shaft bearing snap ring (1) into the front axle housing.
  4. Use the J 37770 with the J 8092 in order to install the left inner axle oil shaft seal (2) into the front axle housing.
  5. Install the left inner axle shaft into the front axle housing. Ensure that the snaps ring seats into the differential side gear.
  6. Install the left drive axle shaft into the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  7. Lower the vehicle.

Axle Shaft and Seal Replacement Right Axle Shaft Oil Seal

Removal Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 26941 Knuckle Seal Remover
    • J 23907 Slide Hammer
  1. Raise the vehicle. Support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the right front axle drive shaft from the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .

  3. Object Number: 174588  Size: SH
  4. Use the following steps in order to remove the right drive axle shaft oil seal (1) from the front axle housing (2):
  5. 3.1. Install the J 26941 into the tight drive axle shaft oil seal (1).
    3.2. Tighten the thumb screw on the J 26941 in order to ensure that the J 26941 has a firm grasp on the right drive axle shaft oil seal.
    3.3. Attach the J 23907 into the J 26941 .
    3.4. Gently tap the right drive axle shaft oil seal (1) out of the front axle housing (2)
  6. Inspect the right drive axle shaft surface at the point where the right drive axle shaft oil seal contacts the shaft surface. Inspect the shaft surface for the following conditions:
  7. • Scoring
    • Burrs
    • Replace the shaft if the surface displays the above conditions.

Installation Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 37770 Axle Shaft Oil Seal Installer
    • J 8092 Driver Handle

    Object Number: 174588  Size: SH

    Important: The right and left axle shaft oil seals are designed to be installed into the front axle housing at different depths. The J 37770 is two sided and is stamped with the letters R and L to ensure the correct axle shaft oil seal installation. If either axle shaft seal is incorrectly installed, damage to the seal and/or internal components due to leakage may result.

  1. Install the new right drive axle shaft oil seal (1) into the front axle housing (2) using the J 37770 with the J 8092 .
  2. Install the right drive axle shaft into the vehicle. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
  3. Lower the vehicle.