SMU - Revised Propeller Shaft Replacement Procedure

This bulletin is being issued to revise the Propeller Shaft Replacement Procedure in the Driveline Axle sub-section of the Service Manual. Please replace the current information in the Service Manual with the following information.

The following information has been updated within SI. If you are using a paper version of this Service Manual, please make a reference to this bulletin on the affected page.

Notice: There is a first and second design of the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission/differential flange bolts used on this vehicle. Ensure the second design propeller shaft coupler bolts are installed whenever the first design bolts are removed for service. The second design bolts must be installed in a specific orientation per the procedure. If the incorrect bolts or the second design bolts are installed improperly, damage to the propeller shaft coupler and/or the transmission may occur.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information sub-section of the Service Manual, SI Document #813128.
2. Remove the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement in the Engine Exhaust sub-section of the Service Manual, SI Document #783469.




Important: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts. Do NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

3. Remove the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts (6), nuts (4) and washers (5).




Important: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts. Do NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

4. Remove the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6), nuts (4) and washers (5).



5. Support the propeller shaft at the support bearing.
6. Remove the nuts (2) securing the support bearing to the vehicle underbody.



7. Push the front propeller shaft (3) toward the rear of the vehicle in order to release the propeller shaft coupler (2) from the transmission flange (1).
8. While holding the front propeller shaft (3), lower the support device under the propeller shaft support bearing.
9. Remove the support bearing from the mounting studs.



10. Pull the rear propeller shaft (1) forward to release the coupler (2) from the differential flange (3).

Note the number and location of the shim packs between the support bearing mounting bracket and the underbody to ensure proper assembly.

11. Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle.
12. Inspect the propeller shaft coupler for the following conditions:

•	Splitting of the coupler

•	Deep cracking. Minor superficial cracking of the coupler is acceptable

•	Looseness at the propeller shaft mounting bolts

•	Distorted or missing mounting bolt bushings

13. If any of the above conditions are found, the propeller shaft requires replacement.

1. Using a clean shop towel, clean the following:

•	Differential flange centering pin

•	Transmission flange centering pin

•	Front propeller shaft centering bushing

•	Rear propeller shaft centering bushing

2. Apply a small amount of lubricant, GM P/N 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037), or equivalent, to the front and rear propeller shaft centering bushings.



3. Inspect the propeller shaft to flange nuts (4), bolts (6) and washers (5). Replace if damaged or worn.

Install the rear propeller shaft coupler (2) to the differential flange (3).

4. Rest the support bearing on the support device.

Important: If reusing the propeller shaft to flange nuts and bolts -- to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of threadlocker.

5. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, and allow to dry. Apply threadlocker, GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent, to the propeller shaft to the flange bolt. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately ten minutes before installation.
6. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange washers (5) to the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6).
7. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6) and washers (5) to the propeller shaft coupler (2) and differential flange (3).

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice In Cautions and Notices.

8. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange nuts (4).

Tighten
Tighten the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts and nuts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).




9. Push the front propeller shaft (3) to the rear of the vehicle and install the propeller shaft coupler (2) to the transmission flange (1).

Important: If reusing the propeller shaft to flange nuts and bolts -- to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of threadlocker.

10. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, and allow to dry. Apply threadlocker, GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent, to the propeller shaft to the flange bolt. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately ten minutes before installation.
11. Install the front propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts (6) to the transmission flange (1) and propeller shaft coupler (2).
12. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange washers (5) and nuts (4).

Tighten
Tighten the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts and nuts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).




13. Install the center support bearing to the studs on the vehicle underbody.

Important: Ensure that the shim packs on the support bearing are installed in their original positions.

14. Raise the support device in order to hold the support bearing in position.
15. Install the center support bearing nuts (2) to the studs on the vehicle underbody.

Tighten
Tighten the support bearing nuts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

16. Remove the support device from under the support bearing.
17. Install the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement in the Engine Exhaust Sub-section of the Service Manual, SI Document #783469.
18. Lower the vehicle.

Notice: There is a first and second design of the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission/differential flange bolts used on this vehicle. Ensure the second design propeller shaft coupler bolts are installed whenever the first design bolts are removed for service. The second design bolts must be installed in a specific orientation per the procedure. If the incorrect bolts or the second design bolts are installed improperly, damage to the propeller shaft coupler and/or the transmission may occur.

1. Raise and support vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in the General Information sub-section of the Service Manual, SI Document #813128.
2. Remove the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement in the Engine Exhaust sub-section of the Service Manual, SI Document #783469.




Important: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts. Do NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

3. Remove the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts (5), nuts (1) and washers (4).




Important: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts. Do NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

4. Remove the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6), nuts (4) and washers (5).



5. Support the propeller shaft at the support bearing.
6. Remove the nuts (2) securing the support bearing to the vehicle underbody.



7. Push the front propeller shaft (6) toward the rear of the vehicle in order to release the propeller shaft coupler (3) from the transmission flange (2).
8. While holding the front propeller shaft (6), lower the support device under the propeller shaft support bearing.
9. Remove the support bearing from the mounting studs.



10. Pull the rear propeller shaft (1) forward to release the coupler (2) from the differential flange (3).

Note the number and location of the shim packs between the support bearing mounting bracket and the underbody to ensure proper assembly.

11. Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle.
12. Inspect the propeller shaft coupler for the following conditions:

•	Splitting of the coupler

•	Deep cracking. Minor superficial cracking of the coupler is acceptable

•	Looseness at the propeller shaft mounting bolts

•	Distorted or missing mounting bolt bushings

13. If any of the above conditions are found, the propeller shaft requires replacement.

1. Using a clean shop towel, clean the following:

•	Differential flange centering pin

•	Transmission flange centering pin

•	Front propeller shaft centering bushing

•	Rear propeller shaft centering bushing

2. Apply a small amount of lubricant, GM P/N 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037), or equivalent, to the front and rear propeller shaft centering bushings.



3. Inspect the propeller shaft to flange nuts (4), bolts (6) and washers (5). Replace if damaged or worn.

Install the rear propeller shaft coupler (2) to the differential flange (3).

4. Rest the support bearing on the support device.

Important: If reusing the propeller shaft to flange nuts and bolts -- to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of threadlocker.

5. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, and allow to dry. Apply threadlocker, GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent, to the propeller shaft to the flange bolt. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately ten minutes before installation.
6. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange washers (5) to the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6).
7. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts (6) and washers (5) to the propeller shaft coupler (2) and differential flange (3).

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice In Cautions and Notices.

8. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange nuts (4).

Tighten
Tighten the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts and nuts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).




9. Push the front propeller shaft (6) to the rear of the vehicle and install the propeller shaft coupler (3) to the transmission flange (2).

Important: If reusing the propeller shaft to flange nuts and bolts -- to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of threadlocker.

10. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, and allow to dry. Apply threadlocker, GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent, to the propeller shaft to the flange bolt. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately ten minutes before installation.
11. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange washers (4) to the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts (5).
12. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts (5) and washers (4) to the propeller shaft coupler (3) and transmission flange (2).
13. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange nuts (1).

Tighten
Tighten the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts and nuts to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).




14. Install the center support bearing to the studs on the vehicle underbody.

Important: Ensure that the shim packs on the support bearing are installed in their original positions.

15. Raise the support device in order to hold the support bearing in position.
16. Install the center support bearing nuts (2) to the studs on the vehicle underbody.

Tighten
Tighten the support bearing nuts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).

17. Remove the support device from under the support bearing.
18. Install the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement in the Engine Exhaust Sub-section of the Service Manual, SI Document #783469.
19. Lower the vehicle.