Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2022 Cadillac CT4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise and support the vehicle. Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle
Clean any dirt from around the differential carrier fill plug (1) and differential carrier drain plug (2).
Place a suitable drain pan under the differential carrier.
Differential Carrier Fill Plug (1) - Remove
Differential Carrier Drain Plug (2) - Remove
Rear Tire Front Air Deflector Bolt (1) - Remove [2x]
Rear Tire Front Air Deflector- Left Side (2) - Remove
Rear Wheelhouse Liner Bolt (1) - Remove
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Nut (2) - Remove [3x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Bolt (3) - Remove [3x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Nut (4) - Remove [2x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector- Left Side (5) - Remove
Rear Tire Front Air Deflector Bolt (2) - Remove [2x]
Rear Tire Front Air Deflector- Right Side (1) - Remove
Rear Wheelhouse Liner Bolt (1) - Remove
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Bolt (2) - Remove [3x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Nut (3) - Remove [3x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Nut (4) - Remove [2x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector- Right Side (5) - Remove
Underbody Front Air Deflector Bolt- Right Side (1) - Remove [6x]
Underbody Front Air Deflector Nut- Right Side (2) - Remove [5x]
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Bracket Bolt- Right Side (3) - Remove [2x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Bolt- Right Side (4) - Remove [2x]
Underbody Front Air Deflector- Right Side (5) - Remove
Underbody Front Air Deflector Bolt- Left Side (1) - Remove [6x]
Underbody Front Air Deflector Nut- Left Side (2) - Remove [5x]
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Bracket Bolt- Left Side (3) - Remove [2x]
Underbody Rear Air Deflector Bolt- Left Side (4) - Remove [2x]
Underbody Front Air Deflector- Left Side (5) - Remove
Floor Panel Number 4 Cross Bar Reinforcement Bolt (1) - Remove [6x]
Floor Panel Reinforcement (2) - Remove
Catalytic Converter Nut (1) - Remove [2x]
Exhaust Pipe Clamp (1) - Loosen [2x]
Exhaust Muffler (1) @ Exhaust Intermediate Pipe Insulator-Left Side (2) - Separate
Exhaust Muffler (1) @ Exhaust Rear Muffler Insulator-Left Side (2) - Separate
Exhaust Muffler (1) @ Exhaust Intermediate Pipe Insulator-Right Side (2) - Separate
Exhaust Muffler (1) @ Exhaust Rear Muffler Insulator-Right Side (2) - Separate
Electrical Connector (1) - Disconnect
Electrical Connector (1) - Disconnect
NOTE:
Some components not shown for graphic clarity.

Exhaust Muffler Hanger Bracket Nut (1) - Remove [4x]
With the aid of an assistant, remove the exhaust muffler (1).
Catalytic Converter Gasket (2) - Remove and DISCARD
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Bolt (1) - Remove
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Bracket (2) - Remove
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Clip (1) - Remove
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Clip Bolt (3) - Remove
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe Clip (2) - Remove
Disengage the transmission fluid auxiliary cooler inlet pipe retaining clip (1) [2x].
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe (1) - Remove
Disengage the transmission fluid cooler pipe retaining clip (1) [2x].
Transmission Fluid Cooler Pipe (1) - Remove
Exhaust Heat Shield Bolt (1) - Remove [6x]
Exhaust Intermediate Underbody Heat Shield (2) - Remove
Floor Panel Number 2 Cross Bar Reinforcement Bolt (2) - Remove [4x]
Floor Panel Number 2 Cross Bar Reinforcement (1) - Remove
NOTE:
Before removing the propeller shaft from the vehicle, paint or scribe references marks on the transmission flange to the propeller shaft and the rear differential drive flange to ensure minimal driveline system imbalance.

Mark (2) the relationship of the propeller shaft flange (3) and the output flange (1) of the transmission.
Mark (3) the relationship of the propeller shaft flange (1) and the rear axle pinion flange (2).
NOTE:
Ensure that the propeller shaft is secured to the jack stand.

Support the propeller shaft with a suitable jack stand.
Remove the 3 front propeller shaft bolts (2) and the 3 front propeller shaft nuts (1).
Remove the 3 rear propeller shaft bolts (1) and the 3 rear propeller shaft nuts (2).
Remove the 2 propeller shaft bearing support bolts (1).
CAUTION:
Care should be taken not to use sharp or pry tools when separating the propeller shaft coupler from the drive flange. Damage to the coupler could result and replacement of the entire propeller shaft would be required.

NOTE:
It may be necessary to apply a small amount of penetrating lubricant or WD-40® to the area shown (1) to aid in separation of the propeller shaft coupling.

If the propeller shaft does not easily separate from the differential or transmission, use a rubber mallet to gently tap the locations (1) on the rubber coupling shown above to separate.
Remove the propeller shaft (1) from the vehicle.
NOTE:
The rear wheel drive shaft universal joint retainer (1) and washers (2) are serviced as a rear wheel drive shaft universal joint retainer kit consisting of 2 bolts and 1 washer.

Remove and DISCARD the 6 rear wheel drive shaft universal joint retainer (1).
Remove and DISCARD the 3 rear wheel drive shaft flange washers (2).
Reposition the rear wheel drive shaft (1) to clear the rear axle shaft.
NOTE:
The rear wheel drive shaft universal joint retainer (2) and washers (1) are serviced as a rear wheel drive shaft universal joint retainer kit consisting of 2 bolts and 1 washer.

Remove and DISCARD the 6 rear wheel drive shaft universal joint retainer (2).
Remove and DISCARD the 3 rear wheel drive shaft flange washers (1).
Reposition the rear wheel drive shaft (1) to clear the rear axle shaft.
Position a jack under the differential carrier assembly.
Disconnect the electrical connector at the differential.
Differential Carrier Rear Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD
Differential Carrier Nut (2) - Remove and DISCARD [2x]
Differential Carrier Rear Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD [2x]
Differential Carrier Assembly (1) - Remove