Info - New Ordering Process for Propeller Shafts or Prop-Shaft Systems Through GMSPO

This bulletin is being revised to add Four-Wheel Drive information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-04-17-001 (Section 04 -- Driveline/Axle).

The servicing of prop-shafts on the above listed trucks has changed. Dealers will no longer order the individual parts, assemble the parts and have them balanced. Prop-shafts are now ordered as complete assemblies. These assemblies will be ordered through GM Service Parts Operations (GMSPO), built by the supplier and shipped directly to the ordering dealer. These parts are balanced and ready for installation.

The new process for ordering prop-shafts through SPO is slightly different from the process for ordering other parts. A prop-shaft family or individual part number is entered along with the specific prop-shaft length(s). The way prop-shaft length is measured has also changed. Refer to the information below.

Important: THESE PROCEDURES MUST BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY AS WRITTEN BECAUSE THESE PROP-SHAFTS CANNOT BE RETURNED TO SPO.

The drivelines on C4500 and C5500 Series trucks are balanced as an assembly and can be replaced as an assembly. Individual shafts can also be replaced and remaining shafts balanced individually. This will be covered later in this bulletin.

The one exception is a 4 prop-shaft assembly. In this case, the #1 prop-shaft (the one closest to the transmission) is balanced separately and the remaining 3 prop-shafts are balanced as an assembly.

1. Measure the wheelbase, in inches, from the center of the front axle hub to the center of the rear axle hub. Compare this length to the as-built wheelbase length listed in GM-VIS. If the wheelbase measurement is different from the as-built length, contact the vehicle upfitter who modified the wheelbase to determine the prop-shaft lengths.
2. If the measurements are the same, determine the prop-shaft system part number and tube length(s). The part number can be found on the Vehicle Broadcast Build Data sheets (in the truck) under UPC-4A4 and the length(s) can be found under UPC-4A9 (located at the very end of the sheet after UPC-15). Both can also be found on the label affixed to the prop-shaft. An additional location for the part number and length information is the Service Broadcast Report within some Service Part Catalog systems. If the information cannot be found in any of the previously mentioned sources, refer to the part number chart for the part number.
3. If the truck has a 2 or 3 piece prop-shaft system, the individual length of each tube must be determined.
4. Order the prop-shaft family part number (see table below). Enter the tube length or lengths in the comment field. The lengths must be entered as follows:

•	For first prop-shaft in a 4 prop-shaft system: FRT xxxx.x MM INT RR

•	For a 3 piece prop-shaft system: FRT xxxx.x MM INT xxxx.x MM RR xxxx.x MM

•	For a 2 piece prop-shaft system: FRT xxxx.x MM INT RR xxxx.x MM

•	For a 1 piece prop-shaft system: FRT INT RR xxxx.x MM

Important: 

1. Always include the tags FRT, INT, RR even when there is no prop-shaft at that location, and they must be entered in that order.
2. If it is a 1 or 2 piece prop-shaft system, leave the length field blank when there is no prop-shaft in that position.
3. Always include 5 digits in the length field with one decimal place followed by MM to denote millimeters (i.e. 0717.0 MM).
4. Failure to enter the lengths exactly like this will cause the order to be rejected upon receipt at the supplier.

Important: THESE PROCEDURES MUST BE FOLLOWED EXACTLY AS WRITTEN BECAUSE THESE PROP-SHAFTS CANNOT BE RETURNED TO SPO.

Any prop-shaft can be replaced individually. When trucks are initially assembled, the SPL 55 and SPL 70 Series drivelines are balanced as an assembly. If one of the prop-shafts is replaced, each of the prop-shafts (the new as well as the other remaining prop-shafts) must be individually balanced before assembling the driveline to assure that the system is in balance.

Prop-shafts on all models EXCEPT C4500-C5500 Series are individually balanced before initial assembly (with the exception of the C6500 with RPO JPD, SPL 70 U-joints - these drivelines are system balanced). Any of these prop-shafts can be serviced individually, and does not require individually balancing the remaining prop-shafts.

1. Measure the wheelbase, in inches, from the center of the front axle hub to the center of the rear axle hub. On Tandem Axle equipped trucks, measure the wheelbase from the center of the front axle hub to the center of the Equalizer Beam Pivot. Compare this length to the as-built wheelbase length listed in GM-VIS. If the wheelbase measurement is different from the as-built length, contact the vehicle upfitter who modified the wheelbase to determine the prop-shaft lengths.
2. If the measurements are the same, determine the prop-shaft part number and tube length. The part number can be found on the Vehicle Broadcast Build Data sheets (in the truck) under UPC-4A4 and the length can be found under UPC-4A9 (located at the very end of the sheet after UPC-15). Both can also be found on the label affixed to the prop-shaft. An additional location for the part number and length information is the Service Broadcast Report within some Service Part Catalog systems. If the information cannot be found in any of the previously mentioned sources, refer to the part number chart for the part number.
3. Order the prop-shaft part number. Enter the tube length in the comment field. The length must be entered as follows:

FRT INT RR xxxx.x MM

Important: 

1. Always include the tags FRT, INT, RR even when there is no prop-shaft at that location, and they must be entered in that order.
2. Leave the length field blank when there is no prop-shaft in that position.
3. Always include 5 digits in the length field with one decimal place followed by MM to denote millimeters (i.e. 0717.0 MM).
4. Failure to enter the lengths exactly like this will cause the order to be rejected upon receipt at the supplier.