Diesel Data: Automotive Repair
Home >> Chevy Truck >> 2011 >> Equinox AWD V6-3.0L >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Transmission and Drivetrain >> Drive Axles, Bearings and Joints >> Axle Shaft Assembly >> Service and Repair >> Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement




Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement

Special Tools
* J 2619-01 - Slide Hammer
* J 42128 - Hub Puller
* J 44394-A - A Seal Protector
* J 45341 - Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Removal Tools

Removal Procedure

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




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




6. Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (1) and discard.




7. Using the J 42128 - puller (2), separate the wheel drive shaft from the wheel hub (1).
8. Separate the stabilizer link from the lower control arm. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Front Suspension).
9. Separate the outer tie rod end from the knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).
10. Separate the lower control arm from the knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Front Suspension).





Note: The front axle shaft seal must be replaced once the wheel drive shaft has been removed. Replace with NEW only. DO NOT reuse the front axle shaft seal.

11. Using the J 2619-01 - hammer and the J 45341 - tool , remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.
12. Remove the front axle shaft seal.

* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T30/6T40/6T456T/50 transmission, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side) for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side) for the right front axle shaft seal.
* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T70/6T75 transmission, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side) for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side) for the right front axle shaft seal.

Installation Procedure

1. Install the NEW front axle shaft seal.

* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T30/6T40/6T456T/50 transmission, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side) for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side) for the right front axle shaft seal.
* For those vehicles equipped with the 6T70/6T75 transmission, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Left Side) for the left front axle shaft seal or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side (Front Wheel Drive Shaft Seal Replacement - Right Side) for the right front axle shaft seal.




2. Insert the J 44394-A - protector into the transmission.

Note: The following service procedure is for vehicles equipped with an intermediate shaft.

3. For the right wheel drive shaft, apply a very small amount of grease to the splines of the wheel drive shaft inner joint. Refer to Adhesives, Fluids, Lubricants, and Sealers ([1][2]Axle Shaft Assembly).
4. Install the wheel drive shaft until the splines pass the oil seal.
5. Remove the J 44394-A - protector from the oil seal.
6. Install the wheel drive shaft in the knuckle.
7. Hand install a new wheel drive shaft spindle nut.
8. Install the lower ball to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement (Front Suspension).
9. Install the lower link to the stabilizer bar. Refer to Stabilizer Shaft Link Replacement (Front Suspension).
10. Install the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement (Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement).




11. Hand start the wheel drive shaft nut (1).




12. Insert a drift or punch (2) in the brake rotor cooling fins.
13. Rotate the brake rotor until it rest against the brake caliper mounting bracket.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution (Fastener Caution).

14. Using a torque wrench and the proper size socket (1), tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 205 Nm (151 lb ft).
15. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation (Service and Repair).
16. Lower the vehicle.
17. Inspect the transmission fluid level.

* For the 6T30/6T40/6T45, refer to Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check (Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check).
* For the 6T70/6T75, refer to Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check (Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check).

Diesel-Data.com