To swap out the front drive axle, raise the vehicle and lift it with support and then get rid of the wheel and tire assembly. Insert a drift or large screwdriver into the brake caliper and through one of the vanes of the brake rotor which will stop the Axle Shaft from turning. After that, remove the Axle Shaft nut (2) and washer (3). During work on the car, keep the Axle Shaft boots, seals and clamps away from sharp objects so liquid does not leak and failure can be prevented. Loose the 6 bolts (1) keeping the inboard c/v joint drive flange on the output shaft companion flange, but do not remove them. Drain the fluid, remove the lower shock mounting nut, washers and bolt, collapse the shock and secure it as it depends. Before you take off or replace the shock mounting bracket or ball stud, layer a shop towel over both of them to avoid damage. Take out the stabilizer link nut, bolt and spacer assembly on trucks of 8050 gvw rating and higher. Firmly support the Axle Shaft on the inboard side and loosen all six fasteners that are connecting the inboard flange to the transmission. Take out the Axle Shaft outer c/v joint from the knuckle by hammering with a drift or by using a c-clamp and be sure to pull the shaft with rotation while keeping away from the lower
Control Arm. Wipe and inspect the region around the Axle Shaft deflector as well as the wheel bearing seal on the knuckle and replace both if needed. Taking off the wheel, inspect the deflector ring and the wheel bearing seal for damage and replace the seal if it is damaged and look at the wheel bearing as well. Cover all the sharp spots on the shock mounting bracket, lower Control Arm ball stud and Axle Shaft with shop towels when installing the shaft. It is important not to coat the Axle Shaft splines or knuckle in grease. Start by inserting the splined shank of the outer cv joints into the knuckle hub and rotating as required. After that, secure the inboard joint's flange to the companion's flange with bolts and do not tighten yet. Insert the stabilizer shaft link spacer assembly, bolt and nut onto the vehicle (for trucks weighing 8050 GVW or more) and tighten the nut until it touches the unthreaded part of the bolt and reaches 18 nm (13 ft. Lbs.) of torque. At first, secure the shock absorber to the lower shock mounting bracket and use the shock mounting bolt, along with the washer and nut, stopping at 73 nm (54 ft. Lbs.). Replace your front Axle Shaft nut using just a genuine gm nut to protect your car. Place the nut washer on top of the hub nut and slide on the nut. First, go through the brake caliper with a drift to block the Axle Shaft and last, tighten the inboard flange bolts to 78 nm (58 ft. Lbs). Put in the hub nut and fasten it to 225 nm (165 ft. Lbs.); remove the drift, apply the wheel and tire setting and lower your vehicle.