Axle Shafts: Removal
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette and 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Shift the transmission into PARK (A/T) or NEUTRAL (M/T). Apply the parking brake. Raise and support vehicle. Remove the tire and wheel assembly.
- Insert a drift or punch into the brake rotor cooling fins and against the brake caliper to prevent the wheel hub and bearing from turning. Remove the spindle nut retaining the rear wheel axle shaft to the hub. Remove the drift or punch. Release the parking brake
- Remove the rear transverse spring. See appropriate REAR - CORVETTE article in SUSPENSION. Separate the outer tie rod end from the knuckle and reposition the tie rod toward the rear of the vehicle.
- Disconnect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector. Disconnect the parking brake cable from the parking brake lever. Remove the parking brake cable from the bracket and reposition toward the rear.
- Install Rear Hub Spindle Remover (J 42129) onto the wheel hub and secure with wheel nuts. Begin to disengage the axle shaft from the wheel hub and bearing. This will provide additional clearance to the lower ball joint nut. Separate the lower ball joint from the suspension knuckle. Disengage the axle shaft completely from the wheel hub and bearing.
- Support the axle shaft. Support the suspension knuckle and upper control arm and reposition the knuckle toward the front of the vehicle. Assemble the Axle Shaft Remover (J 42128), Extension (J 29794), and Slide Hammer (J 2619-01). Install the Axle Shaft Remover evenly onto the rear beveled surface of the axle shaft inner joint housing. See Fig 1.
- Disengage the axle shaft from the rear axle differential using the Axle Shaft Remover, Extension, and Slide Hammer, then remove the tool assembly. Remove the axle shaft from the vehicle. Remove Rear Hub Spindle Remover from the wheel hub.