Removal Procedure

Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
WARNING: To prevent personal injury and/or component damage, do not allow the weight of the vehicle to load the front wheels or attempt to operate the vehicle, when the wheel drive shaft(s) or wheel drive shaft nut(s) are removed. To do so may cause the inner bearing race to separate, resulting in damage to brake and suspension components and loss of vehicle control.

CAUTION: Wheel drive shaft boots, seals and clamps should be protected from sharp objects any time service is performed on or near the wheel drive shaft(s). Damage to the boot(s), the seal(s) or the clamp(s) may cause lubricant to leak from the joint and lead to increased noise and possible failure of the wheel drive shaft.
Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tire and Wheel Removal and Installation .
If the vehicle is equipped with a M32 MT or a AF40 AT, drain the transmission: Refer to Transmission Fluid Drain and Fill (M.
NOTE: Transmission draining is not necessary on vehicles equipped with an 6T30 or 6T40 automatic transmission.
- M32 MT, refer to Transmission Fluid Drain and Fill
- AF40 AT, refer to Transmission Fluid Drain and Fill
Insert a drift or punch (2) in the cooling fins of the brake rotor.

Fig 1: Holding Brake Rotor With Drift Or Punch
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
Rotate the brake rotor until the drift or punch contacts the brake caliper mounting bracket.
Using a breaker bar (1), loosen the wheel drive shaft nut.
Remove the wheel drive shaft nut (2) from the wheel drive shaft (1).

Fig 2: Wheel Drive Shaft And Nut
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
Using the CH-49400 remover (2) or equivalent, separate the brake rotor and wheel bearing/hub assembly (1).

Fig 3: Special Tool And Wheel Bearing/Hub Assembly
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
Remove the outer tie rod assembly from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .
Remove the lower control arm ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
Install the DT-6332 protector into the differential output shaft seal.

Fig 4: Seal Protector
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

CAUTION: Wheel drive shaft seal protector must be installed into the differential output shaft seal prior to removing and installing the wheel drive shaft. Failure to install the wheel drive shaft seal protector as indicated may cause the splines of the wheel drive shaft to cut the differential output seal.
Using the CH-313 hammer (2) along with the CH-6003 remover (1) and the DT-29794 extension, remove the wheel drive shaft (3) from the vehicle.

Fig 5: Special Tools And Wheel Drive Shaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
Remove and discard the washer (1) from the wheel drive shaft (2). DO NOT re-use the washer, replace with NEW only.

Fig 6: Wheel Drive Shaft & Washer
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

NOTE: If there is no washer on the wheel drive shaft, install a NEW washer.