GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 2619-01 Slide Hammer
    • J 29794 Axle Shaft Remover Extension
    • J 33008-A Axle Shaft Puller
    • J 42129 Hub Spindle Remover

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle in General Information.
  2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  3. Disconnect the tie rod from the knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.
  4. Insert a drift (1) into the rotor and against the caliper in order to prevent the rotor from turning.
  5. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (2).
  6. Remove the stabilizer link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
  7. Important: Be sure that the wheel speed sensor wiring harness is repositioned away from the ball joint after disconnecting the electrical connector from the sensor.

  8. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
  9. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.
  10. Using the J 42129 , disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing and support the wheel drive shaft.

  11. Object Number: 442399  Size: SH

    Important: Be sure to bottom out the threads as much as possible while assembling the J 2619-01 the J 33008-A and theJ 29794 .

  12. Assemble the J 2619-01 , the J 33008-A and the J 29794 .
  13. Using the J 2619-01 , the J 33008-A and the J 29794 , disengage the wheel drive shaft from the transaxle.
  14. Remove the drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 189013  Size: SH
  1. Install the axle shaft (2) to the transaxle (1).
  2. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the transaxle by grasping the inner tripod housing and pulling outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive shaft bar. The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.

  3. Object Number: 442471  Size: SH
  4. Install the wheel drive shaft (1) to the steering knuckle (2).
  5. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Replacement in Front Suspension.
  6. Connect the stabilizer link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
  7. Connect the wheel speed electrical connector.

  8. Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  9. Insert a drift into the rotor and against the caliper in order to prevent the rotor from turning.
  10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

    Important: This vehicle is equipped with 2 different style wheel drive shaft nuts. The first design wheel drive shaft nut is a Pac style nut that is painted black in color. The second design is a Solid style wheel drive shaft nut that is gray in color. Both have very different torque values.


    Object Number: 1206928  Size: SH
  11. Install the wheel drive shaft nut first design to the axle shaft.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the first design wheel drive shaft nut (Black) to 385 N·m (284 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1206930  Size: SH
  13. Install the wheel drive shaft nut second design to the axle shaft.
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the second design wheel drive shaft nut (Gray) to 235 N·m (173 lb ft).

  15. Connect the tie rod to the knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.
  16. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  17. Lower the vehicle.