Axle Shaft Assembly: Service and Repair
FRONT DRIVE AXLEFig. 2 Front wheel drive components. Exc. 1982-85 Eldorado, Riviera, Seville & Toronado (Typical):
Fig. 4 Exploded view of drive axle with tri-pot inboard joint. 1985-88 models:
Fig. 5 Exploded view of drive axle with ball type constant velocity inboard joint. 1982-84 Citation, Omega, Phoenix & Skylark; 1982-84 Cavalier, Celebrity, Century, Cimarron, Cutlass Ciera, Firenza, 2000, Skyhawk & 6000:
Fig. 6 Exploded view of drive axle with tri-pot inboard joint. 1982-84 Citation, Omega, Phoenix & Skylark; 1982-84 Cavalier, Celebrity, Century, Cimarron, Cutlass Ciera, Firenza, 2000, Skyhawk & 6000:
EXC. 1982-85 ELDORADO, RIVIERA, SEVILLE, TORONADO; 1982 CAVALIER, CIMARRON, FIRENZA, 2000, SKYHAWK; 1985-88 NOVA
On models equipped with tri-pot joints on inboard axles, care must be taken not to overextend joints. When either or both ends are disconnected, overextending the tri-pot joint could result in internal joint separation.
Removal
1. Remove hub nut, then raise and support vehicle and remove wheel and tire assembly.
2. On vehicles equipped with ball type constant velocity inboard joints, Fig. 5, install axle shaft boot seal protector J-28712, Fig. 2, on inboard and outboard seals. On vehicles equipped with tri-pot inboard joints, Figs. 4 and 6, install axle boot seal protector J-28712 on outboard seal and J-33162 on inboard seal, Fig. 2.
3. Disconnect brake line clip at strut.
4. Remove disc brake caliper and caliper support.
5. Mark cam bolt to ensure proper camber alignment during installation.
6. Remove bolts attaching steering knuckle to strut.
7. Using tool J-28468 or J-33008 and J-2619-01, Fig. 2, disengage snap rings retaining drive axles.
8. Separate steering knuckle from strut.
9. Carefully pull drive axles from transaxle. On vehicles equipped with tri-pot inboard joints, Fig. 6, do not overextend joints.
10. Using tool J-28733, remove axle shaft from hub and bearing assembly.
Installation
1. Loosely install drive axle to steering knuckle and transaxle.
2. Loosely attach steering knuckle to strut bracket.
3. Install disc brake caliper, torque attaching bolts to 30 lb ft
4. Install drive axle to steering knuckle. The drive axle is an interference fit. Install hub nut, when shaft begins to rotate, insert a brass drift in slot on rotor to prevent shaft from turning. It will take approximately 70 lb ft of torque to seat axle shaft.
5. Apply load on hub by lowering vehicle on jack stand. Align cam bolt alignment marks, then torque nut to 140 lb ft
6. Using a screwdriver in groove provided on inner retainer, install axle shaft on transaxle, Fig. 2. Tap on screwdriver until axle shaft is seated in transaxle.
7. Connect brake line clip to strut bracket, then install wheel and tire assembly and lower vehicle.
8. Torque hub nut to 225 lb ft on 1982 models and to 185 lb ft on 1983-88 models.