Special Tools

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.




Note: Steps 3, 4 and 5 is for standard disc brake only. For vehicles equipped with the Brembo brakes, proceed to step 6.

3. Insert a punch or drift (1) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor (2).
4. Position the punch or drift (1) against the brake caliper mounting bracket (5).
5. Using a breaker bar and the appropriate size socket (4), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut (3).
6. Have an assistant apply the brakes.



7. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (2) from the wheel drive shaft (1) and discard. DO NOT re-use the wheel drive shaft nut. Use NEW nut only.



8. Using the J 28733-B (2), separate the wheel drive shaft from the steering knuckle (1).
9. Remove the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.




Note: The transmission stub staff may still could be attached to the right wheel drive shaft and be removed at the same time as the wheel drive shaft. If this occurs, refer to Stub Shaft Removal

10. Using the J-2619-A and the J 45341 , remove the wheel drive shaft.
11. If the wheel drive shaft seal is found to be defective, replace the seal. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal and Output Shaft Sleeve Replacement - Right Side.

1. For the left wheel drive shaft, position the J 44394-A in the transaxle.
2. Install the wheel drive shaft until the wheel drive shaft splines are past the axle seal.
3. Remove the J 44394-A from the wheel drive shaft.




Note: The following service procedure is for those vehicles equipped with an intermediate shaft.

4. For the right wheel drive shaft, 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.
5. Install the wheel drive shaft into the intermediate drive shaft (1).
6. Install the wheel drive shaft until it is fully seated in the transaxle.

Note: In the following step, DO NOT pull on the wheel drive shaft. Pull only on the tripod.

7. With the wheel drive shaft installed, grasp the inner tripot housing and pull the tripot outward to ensure that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged. The wheel drive shaft will remain in place if properly installed.
8. Install the lower ball joint in the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement.



9. Hand tighten the NEW wheel drive shaft nut (2) on the wheel drive shaft (1).




Note: Step 10  is for standard disc brakes only, proceed to step 116 if the vehicle has Brembo brakes.

10. Insert a drift or punch (5) in the brake rotor cooling fins (4) and against the brake caliper mounting bracket (1).

Note: DO NOT air tools to tighten the wheel drive shaft nut. Use a torque wrench only.

11. Have an assistant apply the brakes.

Using a torque wrench and the appropriate size socket (3), tighten the wheel drive shaft nut (2).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

12. Tighten the wheel drive nut (2).

•	For all except the LNF and MU3, tighten the nut to 210 N·m (155 lb ft).

•	For the LNF and MU3, tighten the nut to 215 N·m (159 lb ft).

13. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
14. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.
15. Inspect the fluid level of the transaxle. Refer to Transmission Fluid Check.