OEM 2004 Cadillac CTS Drive Shaft

2004 Cadillac CTS Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the Drive Shaft in a manual transmission on 2004 Cadillac CTS?

  A: Vehicle servicing begins with raising the vehicle and supporting it before removing the exhaust system for replacement of the propeller shaft in manual transmission models. Separate the bolts that connect the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange without allowing detachment of the coupler from the propeller shaft. Continue by removing propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange bolts and nuts and washers while keeping the coupler installed on the propeller shaft. Attach support to the propeller shaft at the support bearing before removing bolts that fix the support bearing connection to the vehicle underbody. Use the front propeller shaft to push it back toward the rear while disconnecting the coupler from its position on the transmission flange. The support bearing can now be pulled down from beneath it to allow removal of the mounting studs from the support bearing. The removal process requires pushing the rear propeller shaft forward to split the coupler from the differential flange while recording shim pack placement for proper replacement. After this step, extract the propeller shaft from the vehicle. Investigators should examine the propeller shaft coupler for symptoms of splitting as well as deep cracking and mounting bolt looseness and evaluate the condition of the mounting bolt bushings; defective couplers require immediate propeller shaft replacement. The installation procedure requires the use of a clean shop towel to clean both the differential flange centering pin along with the transmission flange centering pin along with front and rear propeller shaft centering bushings. These components need a small amount of GM P/N 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037) lubricant for application. The installation process requires you to inspect and replace damaged or worn nuts, bolts and washers between the propeller shaft and flange before fitting the rear propeller shaft coupler to the differential flange. Install the support bearing on the support device before cleaning threads with denatured alcohol and applying threadlocker GM P/N 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488) to the propeller shaft-to-flange bolt without any threadlocker gaps. The procedure requires waiting for ten minutes until the threadlocker has cured before moving forward with installation. Secure the propeller shaft coupler-to-differential flange washers onto bolts, install these components to respectively aligned areas then fasten the nuts to a torque of 85 Nm (63 ft. lbs.). Attach the rear end of the front propeller shaft while putting on the transmission flange coupler and complete the same threadlocker application to the propeller shaft-to-flange bolts. Install the propeller shaft coupler-to-transmission flange washers onto the bolts before securing the bolts along with washers to the coupler and transmission flange by tightening nuts to 85 Nm (63 ft. lbs. torque). Finish the installation by mounting the center support bearing onto the vehicle underbody at its correct shim locations. Then use the support device to elevate the bearing before you bolt and torque the bearing bolts to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.). Lower the support device along with the exhaust system.