Special Tools

1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the left front tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
3. Remove the left outer tie rod from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .



4. Insert a drift or punch (2)  in the brake rotor against the brake caliper mounting bracket.
5. Using a breaker bar and the proper size socket (1), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.




Important: DO NOT reuse the wheel drive shaft nut, replace with a NEW wheel drive shaft nut.

6. Remove and discard the wheel drive shaft nut.
7. Remove the front left wheel speed sensor. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .



8. Using the J 42129  (2) , separate the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub/bearing (1).
9. Remove the left upper control arm from the knuckle. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement .




Important: Install the J 42943 on the wheel drive shaft first, then attach the J 2619-01 and the J 29794.

10. Using the J 2619-O1 , J 29794 , and the J-42943 , remove the wheel drive shaft from the intermediate wheel drive shaft.

Important: If the wheel drive shaft seals are found to have any defects, replace the wheel drive shaft seals.

11. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.
12. Remove the J 2619-O1 , the J 29794 , and the J-42943 , from the wheel drive shaft.



13. Remove the intermediate wheel drive shaft retaining ring (1).
14. Remove the intermediate wheel drive shaft O-ring (2).

1. Install the new O-ring (2) on the intermediate shaft.
2. Install the new retaining ring (1) on the intermediate shaft.
3. Apply a small amount of grease GM P/N 01051344 (Canadian P/N 993037) or equivalent to the intermediate wheel drive shaft splines.
4. Install the left front wheel drive shaft inn the intermediate shaft.
5. To ensure that the wheel drive shaft is installed properly, grasp the inner tripod housing and pulling it outward. DO NOT pull on the axle shaft.
6. Install the wheel drive shaft in the front knuckle.
7. Install the left upper control arm on the knuckle. Refer to Upper Control Arm Replacement .



8. Insert a drift or punch (1) into the rotor and against the caliper mounting bracket in order to prevent the hub and bearing from turning.



9. Using hand tools, tighten the NEW wheel drive shaft nut until the wheel drive shaft is fully seated in the wheel hub/bearing assembly.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.

10. Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut.

Tighten
Tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 215 N·m (158 lb ft).

11. Remove the drift or punch from the brake rotor.
12. Install the wheel speed sensor. Refer to Front Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .
13. Install the left outer tie rod. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .
14. Install the left front tire and wheel. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
15. Remove the support and lower the vehicle.