GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2009 🢒 Tahoe - 2WD 🢒 Driveline/Axle 🢒 Front Drive Axle 🢒 Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft and Inner Shaft Housing Replacement

Removal Procedure
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Drain the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement.

    3. Note: The following service procedure is for vehicles equipped with RPO HP2 (Hybrid).

  3. Remove the electric motor for the steering gear.

    4. Note: If only replacing the right side inner shaft and/or housing, follow the steps below. If only replacing the left side inner shaft, proceed to step 13.

  4. Remove the front shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.

    5. Object Number: 763646 Size: SH
  5. Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.

    6. Note:  Support the wheel drive shaft in order to not over flex the constant velocity (CV) joint.

  6. Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.

    7. Object Number: 763648 Size: SH
  7. Using a hammer and brass drift, disconnect the inner axle shaft from the differential case side gear.

    8. Object Number: 763653 Size: SH
  8. Remove the inner axle shaft housing nuts from the bracket.

    9. Object Number: 1690932 Size: SH
  9. Remove the inner axle shaft housing bolts (2) from the differential carrier assembly.
  10. Remove the inner axle shaft (1) and inner axle shaft housing (4) from the vehicle.
  11. Remove the inner axle shaft housing gasket (3) from the inner axle shaft housing (4).
  12. Remove the inner axle shaft seal and the bearing from the inner axle shaft housing. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Seal and Inner Shaft Bearing Replacement.

    13. Object Number: 1581720 Size: SH
  13. If only replacing the left side inner axle shaft, perform the following steps:
    14. 13.1. Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.

    Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.

    13.2. Support the wheel drive shaft in order to not over flex the CV joint.
    13.3. Remove the inner axle shaft using a hammer and a brass drift.

Installation Procedure

    Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 1581721 Size: SH
  1. If only the left side inner axle shaft was removed, install the shaft by performing the following steps:
    2. 1.1. Install the inner axle shaft into the differential case side gear using a soft-faced mallet until the retaining ring on the inner axle shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear. Pull back on the inner axle shaft to ensure that the inner axle shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.
    1.2. Connect the wheel drive shaft to the inner axle shaft.
    1.3. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts and tighten to 79 N·m (58 lb ft).
  2. If the right side inner axle shaft and/or housing was removed, install the shaft and/or housing following the steps below.
  3. Install the new inner axle shaft bearing and the new seal to the inner axle shaft housing. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Seal and Inner Shaft Bearing Replacement.

    4. Object Number: 1690932 Size: SH

    Note: Do not install the inner axle shaft completely into the inner axle shaft housing at this time.

  4. Install the inner axle shaft (1) into the inner axle shaft housing (4).
  5. Install the new inner axle shaft housing gasket (3).
  6. Install the inner axle shaft (1) and the inner axle shaft housing (4) to the differential carrier assembly.
  7. Install the inner axle shaft housing bolts (2) and tighten to 40 N·m (30 lb ft).

    8. Object Number: 763653 Size: SH
  8. Install the inner axle shaft housing nuts to the bracket and tighten to 100 N·m (75 lb ft).
  9. Install the inner axle shaft into the differential case side gear by doing the following:
    10. 9.1. Turn the inner axle shaft and align the splines of the inner axle shaft with the splines on the differential side gear.
    9.2. Install the inner axle shaft into the differential case side gear using a soft-faced mallet until the retaining ring on the inner axle shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear.
    9.3. Pull back on the inner axle shaft to ensure that the inner axle shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.
  10. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the inner axle shaft.

    11. Object Number: 763646 Size: SH
  11. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts and tighten to 79 N·m (58 lb ft).

    12. Note: The following service procedure is for vehicles equipped with RPO HP2 (Hybrid).

  12. Install the electric motor for the steering gear.
  13. Install the front shock absorber. Refer to Shock Absorber Replacement.
  14. With either replacement procedure, fill the differential carrier assembly with axle lubricant. Use the correct fluid. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement.
  15. Lower the vehicle.