GM 20859673
Axle Assembly, Front Driver Side

Begin your Axle Shaft replacement work by raising the vehicle and using suitable lifting methods. Start by taking out wheel and tire followed by unstowing or removing the stabilizer shaft link assembly bolt according to your need. Use a drift or screwdriver to stop the rotor from turning after removing the hub nut. Disconnect the Ball Joint first. The front hub spindle remover (J 28733-B) will disconnect the axle from the hub so install the hub partially to protect threads while pushing the strut and knuckle rearward without overstretching the Axle Shaft to prevent joint failure. The Axle Shaft remover (J 42128) and slide hammer with adapter (J 2619-01) are used to disconnect the Axle Shaft from the transaxle before removing the Axle Shaft out of the vehicle. Check for corrosion on the transmission seal surface on the tripot housing. When the surface contains traces of corrosion, use 320-grit emery cloth to sand the area smooth before applying clean transmission fluid as lubrication. The transaxle assembly requires the axle push until complete seating while avoiding shaft pull on the Axle Shaft hub. You should position the Axle Shaft through the hub and bearing before tightening a new hub nut. Apply a drift or screwdriver to block the rotor from spinning when torquing the hub nut to 145 nm (107 ft. Lbs.). Reattach the Ball Joint to the knuckle while you add the stabilizer shaft link assembly and finally reposition the tire and wheel after the vehicle descent.

Vehicle front Axle Shaft replacement requires vehicle support followed by tire and wheel assembly removal. Uncouple the outer Tie Rod End from the Steering Knuckle but keep the Tie Rod End jam nut intact. Use a drift or punch tool to insert inside the brake rotor but press against the brake caliper to stop Wheel Hub and bearing movement. Anytime a Spindle Nut removal occurs you must install a fresh new nut before discarding the previous Spindle Nut. Disconnect the electrical connector from the sensor before moving the wheel speed sensor wiring harness to a location that's away from the Ball Joint. First disable the wheel speed sensor electrical connector then reposition the wiring harness before disconnecting the Ball Joint from the Steering Knuckle. Use the Wheel Hub remover (J42129) to detach the hub assembly by tightening wheel nuts while you support the Axle Shaft until complete removal. Through the use of Wheel Hub remover (J42129) operators can separate the Axle Shaft from the Wheel Hub and bearing by providing support during the operation. Disassemble the slide hammer with adapter (J2619-01) and extension (J29794) and Axle Shaft puller (J33008-A) to use them for Axle Shaft separation from transaxle and vehicle removal. To install the Axle Shaft place it into the transaxle then evaluate its correct seating by grasping the inner tripot housing for outward movement. Mount the Axle Shaft onto the hub and bearing while hooking up the Ball Joint to the Steering Knuckle also reattach the wheel speed sensor electrical connector. A drift or punch should be inserted through the rotor to prevent hub and bearing rotation during installation of the stabilizer shaft link. Place a new Axle Shaft Spindle Nut into position then torque it to 160 nm (118 ft. Lbs.). After connecting the outer Tie Rod End to the Steering Knuckle you should install the tire and wheel assembly followed by lowering the vehicle.

Remove the wheel and tire.