GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft and Inner Shaft Housing Replacement 8.25 S4WD and 9.25 Axles

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 834234  Size: SH
  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Drain the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the electric motor actuator.

  4. Object Number: 834265  Size: SH
  5. Disconnect the wire harness from the inner axle shaft housing.
  6. Remove the stabilizer shaft link assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

  7. Object Number: 763646  Size: SH
  8. Remove the wheel drive shaft inboard flange bolts from the inner axle shaft.
  9. Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft.


    Object Number: 834241  Size: SH
  10. Remove the inner axle shaft housing nuts from the bracket.

  11. Object Number: 834261  Size: SH
  12. Remove the inner axle shaft housing bolts from the differential carrier case.

  13. Object Number: 615922  Size: SH

    Important: Keep the open end of the inner axle shaft housing up.

  14. Carefully remove the inner axle shaft housing from the differential carrier assembly.

  15. Object Number: 695177  Size: SH
  16. For the 8.25 inch axle, remove the following components from the inner axle shaft housing:
  17. 10.1. The clutch fork inner spring (10)
    10.2. The clutch fork shaft assembly components (14, 13, 12, 11)
    10.3. The clutch shaft shim (9)
    10.4. Remove the clutch sleeve (8)
    10.5. Remove the clutch gear 6) by doing the following:
             10.5.1. Clamp the inner axle shaft housing (4) in a vise.

    Clamp only on the mounting flange.

             10.5.2. Strike the inside surface of the shaft (1) flange with a hammer and a brass drift in order to dislodge the front drive axle clutch gear 6) from the inner axle shaft (1).
    10.6. Remove the thrust washer 5).

    Object Number: 695181  Size: SH
  18. For the 9.25 inch axle, remove the following components from the inner axle shaft housing:
  19. 11.1. The clutch fork inner spring (10)
    11.2. The clutch fork assembly components (14, 13, 12, 11)
    11.3. The clutch shaft shim (9)
    11.4. The clutch sleeve (8)
    11.5. The retainer ring (7)
    11.6. The thrust washers (5, 6)

    Object Number: 615683  Size: SH
  20. Remove the inner axle shaft (2). Tap out the inner axle shaft with a soft-faced mallet.
  21. Remove the inner axle seal and the bearing from the axle housing. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Seal and Inner Shaft Bearing Replacement .

Installation Procedure

  1. Install the new inner axle shaft bearing and the seal to the axle housing. Refer to Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft Seal and Inner Shaft Bearing Replacement .

  2. Object Number: 615683  Size: SH
  3. Install the inner axle shaft (2) into the inner axle shaft housing (1).
  4. Carefully tap the inner axle shaft into place with a soft-faced mallet.


    Object Number: 695177  Size: SH
  5. For the 8.25 inch axle, install the following components into the inner axle shaft housing:
  6. 3.1. The thrust washer (5). Use chassis grease in order to hold the thrust washer in place.

    Ensure the tabs on the thrust washer (5) align with the slot in the inner axle shaft housing (4).

    3.2. The retainer ring (7) into the clutch gear (6).
    3.3. The clutch gear (6) onto the inner axle shaft (1).

    Drive the clutch gear into place with a plastic hammer.

    3.4. Determine the clutch gear shim thickness. Refer to Inner Axle Shaft Shim Adjustment .
    3.5. The clutch gear shim (9)
    3.6. The clutch sleeve (8)
    3.7. The clutch fork assembly (14, 13, 12, 11)
    3.8. The clutch fork inner spring (10) into the differential carrier case.

    Object Number: 695181  Size: SH
  7. For the 9.25 inch axle, install the following components into the inner axle shaft housing:
  8. 4.1. The thrust washer (5). Use chassis grease in order to hold the thrust washer in place.

    Ensure the tabs on the thrust washer (5) align with the slot in the inner axle shaft housing (4).

    4.2. The second thrust washer (6)
    4.3. The retainer ring (7) onto the inner axle shaft (1)
    4.4. Determine the clutch gear shim thickness. Refer to Inner Axle Shaft Shim Adjustment .
    4.5. The clutch gear shim (9)
    4.6. The clutch sleeve (8)
    4.7. The clutch fork assembly (14, 13, 12, 11)
    4.8. The clutch fork inner spring (10) into the differential carrier case.
  9. Apply sealant (GM P/N 1052942 or equivalent) to the inner axle housing to differential carrier sealing surface.

  10. Object Number: 615922  Size: SH
  11. Install the inner axle shaft housing to the differential carrier assembly.
  12. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 834261  Size: SH
  13. Install the inner axle shaft housing bolts.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the inner axle shaft housing bolts to 40 N·m  (30 lb ft).


    Object Number: 834241  Size: SH
  15. Install the inner axle shaft housing washers and nuts to the bracket.
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the inner axle shaft housing nuts to 100 N·m (75 lb ft).

  17. Connect the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the inner axle shaft.

  18. Object Number: 763646  Size: SH
  19. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the inner axle shaft bolts.
  20. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts to 79 N·m  (58 lb ft).

  21. Install the stabilizer shaft link assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

  22. Object Number: 834265  Size: SH
  23. Connect the wire harness to the inner axle shaft housing.

  24. Object Number: 834234  Size: SH
  25. Connect the electrical connector to the front axle actuator.
  26. Fill the differential carrier assembly with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  27. Lower the vehicle.

Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft and Inner Shaft Housing Replacement 8.25 F4WD Axle

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Drain the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  3. Remove the stabilizer shaft link assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.

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

  7. Object Number: 763648  Size: SH
  8. Disconnect the inner axle shaft from the differential case side gear using a hammer and brass drift.

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

  11. Object Number: 763644  Size: SH
  12. Remove the inner axle shaft housing bolts from the differential carrier assembly.
  13. Remove the inner axle shaft and inner axle shaft housing from the vehicle.
  14. Remove the inner axle shaft from the inner axle shaft housing.
  15. 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 .

Installation Procedure

  1. 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 .
  2. Install the inner axle shaft into the inner axle shaft housing.
  3. Do not install the inner axle shaft completely into the inner axle shaft housing at this time.

  4. Apply sealant (GM P/N 1052942 or equivalent) to the inner axle housing to differential carrier sealing surface.
  5. Install the inner axle shaft and the inner axle shaft housing to the differential carrier assembly.
  6. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.


    Object Number: 763644  Size: SH
  7. Install the inner axle shaft housing bolts.
  8. Tighten
    Tighten the inner axle shaft housing bolts to 40 N·m  (30 lb ft).


    Object Number: 763653  Size: SH
  9. Install the inner axle shaft housing nuts to the bracket.
  10. Tighten
    Tighten the inner axle shaft housing nuts to 100 N·m (75 lb ft).

  11. Install the inner axle shaft into the differential case side gear by doing the following:
  12. 7.1. Turn the inner axle shaft and align the splines of the inner axle shaft with the splines on the differential side gear.
    7.2. 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.
    7.3. Pull back on the inner axle shaft to ensure that the inner axle shaft is properly retained in the differential case side gear.
  13. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the inner axle shaft.

  14. Object Number: 763646  Size: SH
  15. Install the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts.
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to inner axle shaft bolts to 79 N·m  (58 lb ft).

  17. Install the stabilizer shaft link assembly. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
  18. Fill the differential carrier assembly with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Lubricant Change .
  19. Lower the vehicle.