Axle Shaft: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Aztek, 2003 Buick Rendezvous, 2002 Pontiac Aztek, 2002 Buick Rendezvous, and 2001 Pontiac Aztek. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support the vehicle. Remove tire and wheel assembly. Remove engine splash shield. Remove stabilizer shaft link. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION. Disconnect the electrical connector from the wheel speed sensor.
- Remove the front axle shaft nut and the ramped, 2-piece washer. Insert a drift or a flat-bladed tool through the caliper and into the brake rotor to prevent the rotor from turning. See Fig 1 . Discard the axle shaft nut.
- Disconnect the outer tie rod end from the steering knuckle; DO NOT loosen the tie rod end jam nut. See appropriate POWER RACK & PINION article in STEERING. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle. See appropriate FRONT article in SUSPENSION.
- Install the wheel hub remover onto the wheel hub and bearing and secure with wheel nuts. Using the wheel hub remover, disengage the axle shaft from the wheel hub and bearing and support the axle shaft.
- Assemble the slide hammer, the axle shaft remover extension and the axle shaft puller. Using the completed assembly, disengage the axle shaft from the transaxle. See Fig 2 .
- Remove the axle shaft from the vehicle. Remove and discard the axle shaft retaining ring.
- On the right axle shaft, the retaining ring is on the splined shaft of the inner tripot housing.
- On the left axle shaft, the retaining ring is on the splined transmission output shaft.
NOTE:
Note the relationship between the halves of the 2-piece ramped washer. The ramped sides must face each other when installing the washer.
WARNING:
DO NOT attempt to move vehicle with drive axle(s) removed from wheel bearing. Wheel(s) could fall off, dropping vehicle to the ground and causing personal injury or damage to the vehicle.