Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement 2500

Special Tools

J-45859 Axle Remover

Warning: Do not attempt to move vehicle with drive axle(s) removed from wheel bearing. Wheel(s) could fall off, dropping vehicle to the ground and causing personal injury or damage to the vehicle.

1. Raise the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
3. Remove the drive axle center cap, if equipped.



4. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the drive axle wheel drive shaft from turning.
5. Remove the nut and the washer from the hub. Do not reuse the nut. A new nut must be used when installing the wheel drive shaft.
6. Using the J-45859 Axle Remover or equivalent, press the wheel drive shaft from the hub.



7. Remove the 6 bolts (1) securing the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange.
8. Remove the drift from the rotor.
9. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
10. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.
11. Pull the wheel drive shaft through the lower control arm opening.

1. Wrap shop towels around both the inner and the outer wheel drive shaft boots in order to avoid damage to the boots during removal and installation.

Note: Clean the steering knuckle and the wheel drive shaft splines and threads. These areas must be dry and free of grease, dirt, and contamination.

2. Insert the wheel drive shaft splined shank into the knuckle hub.

Caution: Use only a genuine GM front wheel drive shaft nut. Installation of anything but an OEM front wheel drive shaft nut could cause damage to the vehicle.

3. Install the washer (3) and the new hub nut (2) to the wheel drive shaft.

Do not tighten the new hub nut at this time.

4. Attach the wheel drive shaft inboard flange to the output shaft flange using the inboard flange bolts (1).

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




5. Insert a drift or a large screwdriver through the brake caliper into 1 of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning.

•	Tighten the inboard flange bolts to 79 N·m (58 lb ft).

•	Tighten the hub nut to 240 N·m (177 lb ft).

6. Remove the drift from the rotor.



7. Install the drive axle center cap, if equipped.
8. Install the stabilizer shaft link. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
9. Install the wheel and tire assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
10. Lower the vehicle.

Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement 1500

Warning: Do not attempt to move vehicle with drive axle(s) removed from wheel bearing. Wheel(s) could fall off, dropping vehicle to the ground and causing personal injury or damage to the vehicle.

Special Tools

J-45859 Axle Remover

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
2. Remove the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.



3. Insert a drift or large screwdriver through the brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning.




Note: DO NOT reuse the wheel drive shaft nut, use a NEW nut only.

4. Remove the nut (1) and washer (2) from the hub.



5. Using the J-45859 Axle Remover or equivalent, remove the wheel drive shaft from the hub.
6. Remove the special tool.



7. Remove the retaining bolts from the drive flange.
8. Remove the drift or large screwdriver from the brake rotor.
9. Remove the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
10. Remove the shock module. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement.



11. Remove the wheel drive shaft through the lower control arm opening.
12. Remove all dirt and debris from the splines on the wheel hub/bearing.

1. Install the wheel drive shaft in the steering knuckle.




Note: Install the NEW nut and washer, but DO NOT tighten at this time.

2. Install the NEW nut (1) and washer (2).



3. Install the retaining bolts and finger tighten.



4. Insert a drift or large screwdriver through the brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes in order to prevent the wheel drive shaft from turning.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.

5. Tighten the wheel driver shaft retaining bolts and tighten to 79 N·m (58 lb ft).
6. Tighten the wheel drive shaft retaining nut and tighten to 240 N·m (177 lb ft).
7. Remove the drift or large screwdriver from the brake rotor.
8. Install the shock module. Refer to Shock Absorber and Spring Assembly Replacement.
9. Install the stabilizer shaft link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Replacement.
10. Install the tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation.
11. Lower the vehicle.