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 .
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

CAUTION: Support the brake caliper with heavy mechanic wire or equivalent, whenever it is separated from its mount and the hydraulic flexible brake hose is still connected. Failure to support the caliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the caliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.

NOTE: Do not hit the end of the wheel drive shaft with a hammer to separate it from the wheel bearing/hub. Damage to the wheel bearing hub and/or wheel drive shaft may result.
Remove the outer tie rod assembly from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod Replacement .
Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
Using the CH-313 hammer (2) with CH-6003 remover (1) along with DT-29794 extension and remove the wheel drive shaft (3) from the vehicle.

Fig 4: 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 5: Wheel Drive Shaft & Washer
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

NOTE: If there is no washer on the wheel drive shaft, install a NEW washer.
Remove and DISCARD the 2 intermediate sealing rings (1, 2) from the intermediate shaft.

Fig 6: Identifying Intermediate Sealing Rings
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY