GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Tools Required

    • J 2619-O1 Slide Hammer
    • J 29794 Axle Shaft Remover Extension
    • J 33008-A Axle Shaft Puller
    • J 42129 Wheel Hub Remover

Removal Procedure


    Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. 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. Remove the engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  4. Inspect the ball joints. Refer to Ball Joint Inspection .
  5. Insert a drift or punch (1) through the brake caliper and into the brake rotor in order to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning.
  6. Remove the wheel drive shaft spindle nut (2).
  7. Remove the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement in Front Suspension.
  8. Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle; do NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.
  9. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor and reposition the wiring harness away from the ball joint.
  10. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement in Front Suspension.
  11. Install the J 42129 onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts.
  12. Important: Be sure to support the wheel drive shaft until it is fully removed from the vehicle.

  13. Using the J 42129 , disengage the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub and bearing.

  14. Object Number: 217715  Size: SH
  15. Assemble the J 33008-A , the J 29794 , and the J 2619-O1 .
  16. Using the J 33008-A , the J 29794 , and the J 2619-O1 , disengage the wheel drive shaft from the transaxle.
  17. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 259904  Size: SH
  1. Install the wheel drive shaft to the transaxle.
  2. Verify that the wheel drive shaft is properly engaged to the transaxle by grasping the inner tripot housing and pulling outward. Do not pull on the wheel drive shaft bar.
  3. The wheel drive shaft will remain firmly in place when properly engaged.


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

  8. Object Number: 141983  Size: SH
  9. Insert a drift or punch (1) through the brake caliper and into the brake rotor in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.
  10. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  11. Install the nut to the wheel drive shaft spindle.
  12. Tighten
    Tighten the nut to 160 N·m (118 lb ft).

  13. Connect the outer tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Rack and Pinion Outer Tie Rod End Replacement in Power Steering System.
  14. Install the engine splash shield. Refer to Engine Splash Shield Replacement in Body Front End.
  15. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation in Tires and Wheels.
  16. Lower the vehicle.