GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement RPO MXO

Notice: The propeller shaft must be supported during removal and/or installation so that the CV joint does not articulate more than 8 degrees. Allowing the propeller shaft to articulate greater than 8 degrees could cause damage to the CV boot. Damage to boot could lead to contamination or loss of lubrication which could lead to CV joint damage.

Important: The following service information is for those vehicles equipped with automatic transmission and are rear wheel drive (RWD).

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the rear mufflers. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement.
  3. Remove the floor pan mid tunnel insulator.

  4. Object Number: 1236097  Size: SH

    Important: In steps 4 and 5, remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange bolts and the propeller shaft to rear differential flange. DO NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft nuts and bolts. If the bolts, nuts, and or washers are found to be damaged or excessively worn, DO NOT use. Discard and replace with NEW.

  5. Remove the transmission flange bolts (4), nuts (6) and the washers (5) from the drive flange (1) and propeller shaft coupler (2).

  6. Object Number: 1236095  Size: SH
  7. Remove the differential flange bolts (6), nuts (4) and the washers (5) from the propeller shaft coupler (2) and the differential drive flange (3).
  8. Using a jack stand, support the propeller shaft at the center support bearing.

  9. Object Number: 2017687  Size: SH

    Important: Note, some vehicles are equipped with a shim between the center support bearing and the mounting bracket for the center support bearing for the proper driveshaft angle.

  10. Remove the center support bearing bolts (1).

  11. Object Number: 2017737  Size: SH

    Important: If the propeller shaft couplers and or the center support bearing are found to be damaged or have excessive wear, replace the propeller shaft as an assembly.

  12. Remove the propeller shaft (1) from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure


    Object Number: 2017737  Size: SH
  1. Apply a small amount of lubricant GM P/N 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037), or equivalent, to the pilot shaft on the rear differential drive flange and the transmission drive flange.
  2. Important: When installing the propeller shaft, install the propeller shaft to the transmission drive flange and the rear differential flange prior to install the center support bearing.

  3. With the aide of an assistant, install the propeller shaft assembly (1).

  4. Object Number: 2021617  Size: SH

    Important: Align the yellow and orange paint dots on the propeller shaft and the drive flange. Failure to do so could cause a drive line vibration and possible damage to the propeller shaft.

  5. Align the yellow dot (2) on the propeller shaft with the orange dot (1) on the differential drive flange.

  6. Object Number: 2017687  Size: SH
  7. Install the center support bearing and the shim, if equipped.
  8. Install the center support bearing bolts (1).
  9. Tighten
    Tighten the center support bearing bolts (1)  to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1236095  Size: SH

    Important: If reusing the propeller shaft-to-flange nuts and bolts, to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of threadlocker.

  10. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, and allow to dry. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent, to the propeller shaft to the flange bolt. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installation.
  11. Install the propeller shaft bolts (6), and the washers (5).
  12. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  13. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange nuts (4).
  14. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts  (4) to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).


    Object Number: 1236097  Size: SH

    Important: If reusing the propeller shaft-to-flange nuts and bolts, refer to step 6 for the proper application of the threadlocker.

  15. Install the bolts (4), washers (5), and the nuts (6).
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts (6) to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).

  17. Install the floor pan mid tunnel insulator.
  18. Install the rear mufflers. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement.
  19. Lower the vehicle.

Rear Propeller Shaft Replacement RPO MX7, MN6

Notice: The propeller shaft must be supported during removal and/or installation so that the CV joint does not articulate more than 8 degrees. Allowing the propeller shaft to articulate greater than 8 degrees could cause damage to the CV boot. Damage to boot could lead to contamination or loss of lubrication which could lead to CV joint damage.

Removal Procedure

  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle.
  2. Remove the rear muffler. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement.
  3. Remove the floor pan mid tunnel insulator.
  4. Using a suitable jack stand, support the propeller shaft at the center support bearing.

  5. Object Number: 2017687  Size: SH

    Important: Some vehicles are equipped with shims between the center support bearing and the mounting bracket for the center support bearing for the proper driveshaft angle.

  6. Remove the mounting bolts (1) for the center support bearing.

  7. Object Number: 1236095  Size: SH

    Important: Remove only the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts. DO NOT remove the coupler from the propeller shaft.

  8. Remove the propeller shaft nuts (4), bolts (6), and the washers (5) from the propeller shaft.

  9. Object Number: 902087  Size: SH

    Important: If the bolts and washers are found to be damaged or are excessively worn, DO NOT reuse the bolts and washers. Replace with new.

  10. Remove the bolts from the CV joint on the propeller shaft to the transmission /transfer case flange.
  11. Using a flat bladed screw driver, remove the propeller shaft from the transmission /transfer case flange.
  12. Remove the jack stand from the center support bearing.
  13. Remove the propeller shaft from the rear differential flange.

  14. Object Number: 2017737  Size: SH
  15. Remove the propeller shaft (1) from the vehicle.

Installation Procedure

  1. Apply a small amount of lubricant GM P/N 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037), or equivalent, to the rear propeller shaft center bushing and rear differential flange pilot shaft.

  2. Object Number: 2017737  Size: SH

    Important: When installing the propeller shaft, install the propeller shaft to the transmission drive flange and the rear differential flange prior to install the center support bearing.

  3. With the aide of an assistant, position the propeller shaft in the vehicle.

  4. Object Number: 2017687  Size: SH

    Important: Failure to install the shims could lead to an improper driveshaft angle and could cause damage to the other propeller shaft components.

  5. Install the propeller shaft center support bearing and the shims, if equipped.
  6. Install the mounting bolts (1)  for the center support bearing.
  7. Tighten
    Tighten the support bearing bolts to 50 N·m (37 lb ft).


    Object Number: 2021617  Size: SH

    Important: Align the yellow and orange dots on the propeller shaft and the drive flange. Failure to do so could cause a drive line vibration and possible damage to the propeller shaft.

  8. Align the orange paint mark (1) on the rear differential with the one yellow paint mark (2) on the propeller shaft.
  9. Important: If reusing the propeller shaft-to-flange nuts and bolts, to ensure proper adhesion and fastener retention, the threads must be free of debris prior to the application of threadlocker.

  10. Thoroughly clean the threads using denatured alcohol, or equivalent, and allow to dry. Apply threadlocker GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488), or equivalent, to the propeller shaft to the flange bolt. Ensure that there are no gaps in the threadlocker along the length of the filled area of the bolt. Allow the threadlocker to cure approximately 10 minutes before installation.

  11. Object Number: 1236095  Size: SH
  12. Install the rear propeller shaft  (1) coupler (2) on the differential flange (3).
  13. Install the bolt (6), and the washer (5).
  14. Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

  15. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange nuts (4).
  16. Tighten
    Tighten the nuts (4) to 85 N·m (63 lb ft).


    Object Number: 859586  Size: SH

    Important: If reusing the propeller shaft to flange nuts and bolts, refer to step 5 for the proper application of the thread locker.

  17. Install the propeller shaft CV joint to transfer case flange bolts.
  18. Tighten
    Tighten the propeller shaft CV joint to transfer case flange bolts in sequence (1-6) to 40 N·m (29 lb ft).

  19. Install the floor pan mid tunnel insulator.
  20. Install the exhaust system. Refer to Exhaust System Replacement.
  21. Lower the vehicle.