OEM 2006 Cadillac STS Drive Shaft

2006 Cadillac STS Drive Shaft Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to replace the rear drive shaft in an AWD on 2006 Cadillac STS?

  A: The replacement of a rear propeller shaft in an awd vehicle begins by first lifting and supporting the vehicle and subsequently removing the exhaust system. Position a suitable jack for keeping support near the propeller shaft support bearing. The first step involves removing both heat shield bolts from the vehicle underbody while also detaching support bearing bolts from this same position. Use a marker to note the transfer case propeller shaft CV Joint position before unscrewing the CV Joint to transfer case flange bolts and the coupler-to-differential flange bolts with nuts and washers at the same time while leaving the coupler attached to the shaft. A flat-bladed tool which fits into the transfer case flange notch allows the movement of the propeller shaft backward to disengage the CV Joint from the transfer case flange. After lowering the support device the propeller shaft needs to move forward to free the coupler from the differential flange before removing the propeller shaft from the vehicle. The coupler inspection should determine if it shows splitting and deep cracking while checking for distortion or missing bushings of the mounting bolts. Also look for CV Joint grease leaks and signs of damage or binding issues. The replacement of propeller shafts becomes necessary if you detect any damage during inspection. The differential flange centering pin along with propeller shaft centering bushing should be cleaned with a clean shop cloth before performing an inspection of the propeller shaft-to-flange nuts and bolts. Replace all damaged components with new parts right away. Align the propeller shaft until the coupler bolts face the flanges according to arrows marked on the coupler assembly. The rear propeller shaft centering bushing requires gm p/n 1051344 (Canadian P/N 993037) lubricant applied to its surface before installing the rear propeller shaft coupler to the differential flange. The installer should push the propeller shaft towards the back position prior to coupling it to the transfer case flange. Use denatured alcohol to clean the propeller shaft to flange bolts before applying thread locker gm p/n 12345493 (Canadian P/N 10953488) and let it cure for 10 minutes. Place coupler-to-differential flange washers and bolts together before torquing the coupler-to-differential flange bolts to 85 nm (63 ft. Lbs.). After cleaning the threads once more, use threadlocker as a pretreatment and install the CV Joint to transfer case flange bolts by following tightening sequence (1-6) to 30 nm (22 ft. Lbs.). Secure the center support bearing onto the vehicle underbody before positioning the support device and fixing it with bolts which must reach 50 nm (37 ft. Lbs.) torque value. The exhaust system installation process requires heat shield bolt reinstallation to the underbody with a torque specification of 8 nm (71 inch lbs.), followed by removal of the support device before exhaust system reinstallation and vehicle lowering.