Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft and Inner Shaft Housing Replacement

Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft and Inner Shaft Housing Replacement

Removal Procedure

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle Service and Repair.

2. Drain the differential carrier assembly. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement Front Drive Axle.

3. Remove the engine protection shield. Refer to Engine Protection Shield Replacement Service and Repair.





4. Disconnect the wheel drive shaft from the inner axle shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement Service and Repair.

It is not necessary to remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.





5. Place a pry bar between the inner axle shaft flange and the inner axle shaft housing.

6. Disconnect the inner axle shaft from the differential case side gear using the pry bar.

Do not remove the inner axle shaft at this time.

7. Install a support jack underneath the differential carrier assembly.





8. Remove the upper inner shaft housing bushing bolt and nut.





9. Remove the lower inner shaft housing bushing bolt and nut.





10. Remove the inner axle shaft housing bolts from the differential carrier assembly.





11. Remove the inner axle shaft and inner axle shaft housing from the vehicle.

12. Remove the inner axle shaft from the inner axle shaft housing.

13. 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 Service and Repair.

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 Service and Repair.





Note:
Do not nick or cut the inner axle shaft oil seal.

2. Install the inner axle shaft into the inner axle housing.

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

3. Apply sealant GM P/N 1052942 (Canadian P/N 10953466) or equivalent to the inner axle housing to differential carrier sealing surface.





4. Install the inner axle shaft housing with the inner axle shaft to the differential carrier assembly.





Caution:
Refer to Fastener Caution Fastener Caution.

5. Install the inner axle shaft housing bolts and tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb ft).





6. Install the lower inner axle shaft housing bushing bolt and nut.





7. Install the upper inner axle shaft housing bushing bolt and nut and tighten to 85 Nm (63 lb ft).

8. Remove the support jack.

9. Install the inner axle shaft into the differential case side gear by doing the following:

1. Carefully guide the inner axle shaft through the inner axle housing until the retaining ring on the inner axle shaft contacts the differential case side gear.

2. Install the inner axle shaft into the differential case side gear by tapping the retaining ring into the retaining groove using a soft-faced mallet and until the retaining ring on the inner axle shaft is fully seated within the groove in the differential case side gear.

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 to the inner axle shaft. Refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement Service and Repair.

11. Fill the differential carrier assembly with axle lubricant. Use the proper fluid. Refer to Front Axle Lubricant Replacement Front Drive Axle.

12. Lower the vehicle.