Special Tools

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the right hand tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Disconnect the ball joint pinch bolt. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.
4. Rotate the steering knuckle to access the wheel drive shaft inner joint.
5. Assemble the J 45341 and the J-2619-A to the wheel drive shaft inner tripot housing assembly.



6. Using the J 45341 and the J-2619-A , separate the wheel drive shaft from the intermediate drive shaft.
7. Reposition and support the wheel drive shaft from the intermediate drive shaft.
8. Inspect the wheel drive shaft-to-intermediate drive shaft seal (1) for excessive wear, damage, and/or contamination and replace if necessary.



9. Remove the rear, or left hand intermediate drive shaft bracket-to-engine block bolts.



10. Remove the remaining intermediate shaft bracket-to-engine block bolt (2).
11. Using care to not damage the transaxle output shaft seal (1), remove the intermediate drive shaft assembly.
12. Inspect the transaxle output shaft seal (1) for damage and/or contamination and replace if necessary. Refer to Axle Seals Replacement for the MU3 transmission.

1. Install the J 44394-A into the transaxle output shaft seal (1).
2. Install the intermediate drive shaft into the transaxle until the drive shaft splines are past the seal (1), remove the J 44394-A , then fully install the drive shaft.
3. Install, but do NOT tighten the intermediate drive shaft bracket-to-engine block forward, or right hand bolt (2).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




4. Tighten the intermediate drive shaft bracket-to-engine block bolts, beginning with the upper bolt. Tighten the bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).



5. Apply a very small amount of grease, GM P/N 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037), or equivalent to the splines of the wheel drive shaft inner joint.
6. Install the wheel drive shaft into the intermediate drive shaft.
7. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged:

•	Grasp the inner tripod housing and pull the inner housing outward. Do NOT pull on the wheel drive axle shaft.

•	The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.

8. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
9. Lower the vehicle.
10. Inspect the transaxle fluid level.