Removal Procedure
- Raise and support the vehicle. Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (ATS)Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle (ATS-V)
- Remove the exhaust muffler. Exhaust System Replacement (LGX)
- Remove the intermediate body exhaust heat shield. Intermediate Body Exhaust Heat Shield Replacement (Non V-Series)Intermediate Body Exhaust Heat Shield Replacement (V-Series)
- Remove the floor panel number 2 cross bar reinforcement. Floor Panel Number 2 Cross Bar Reinforcement Replacement
- Mark (1) the relationship of the propeller shaft flange (2) and the output flange of the transmission (3).
- Mark (1) the relationship of the propeller shaft flange (2) and the rear differential flange (3).
- Support the propeller shaft with a suitable hydraulic jack stand.
- Remove the 2 propeller shaft bearing support bolts (1).
- Remove the 3 propeller shaft nuts (1) and the bolts (2) at the transmission output flange.
- Remove the 3 rear propeller shaft nuts (1) and the bolts (2) at the rear differential flange.
- If the propeller shaft does not easily separate from the differential, transmission or transfer case, 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.
When removing the propeller shaft, do not remove the propeller shaft coupler from the propeller shaft assembly. The only bolts that should be removed are those that mount each coupler to the transmission output flange, and to the rear drive axle input flange. Failure to properly remove the propeller shaft assembly may cause coupler damage, resulting in necessary replacement of the entire propeller shaft.
Before removing the propeller shaft from the vehicle, paint or scribe references marks on the transfer case or transmission flange to the propeller shaft and the rear differential drive flange to ensure minimal driveline system imbalance.
Ensure that the propeller shaft is secured to the hydraulic jack stand.
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.
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.