Cruze

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side

Special Tools

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools .

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.

1. Raise and suitably support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
2. Remove the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tyre and Wheel Removal and Installation .



3. Using the CH-49376 holding wrench (1) with EN-956-1 extension (2).




Note: DO NOT re-use the wheel drive shaft nut. Discard the nut and replace with NEW.

4. Remove and DISCARD the wheel drive shaft nut (2) from the wheel drive shaft (1).




Caution: Support the brake calliper 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 calliper in this manner will cause the flexible brake hose to bear the weight of the calliper, which may cause damage to the brake hose and in turn may cause a brake fluid leak.

5. Using the CH-49400 remover (2), separate the brake rotor and wheel bearing/hub assembly (1).
6. Remove the outer tie rod assembly from the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Track rod Replacement .
7. Remove the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .



8. Using the CH-313 Slide Hammer (2) with CH-6003 Axle Shaft Remover (1) remove the wheel drive shaft (3) from the vehicle.

1. Install the DT-6332 protector into the differential output shaft seal.




Note: In order to prevent lubricant leaks, use care when installing the wheel drive shaft to the differential. Do not damage the oil seal. Replace the oil seal if it becomes nicked, distorted, or otherwise damaged.

2. Carefully install the wheel drive shaft into the differential until the splines are past the DT-6332 protector.



3. Remove the DT-6332 protector from the differential output shaft seal.
4. Install the wheel drive shaft into the differential until the retaining ring is fully seated.
5. Confirm that the front wheel drive shaft retaining ring is properly seated by holding the inner housing and pull the inner housing outward
6. Install the front wheel drive shaft into the front wheel bearing/hub.
7. Install the ball joint to the steering knuckle. Refer to Lower Control Arm Replacement .
8. Install the outer tie rod assembly at the steering knuckle. Refer to Steering Linkage Outer Track rod Replacement .

Warning: Refer to Torque-to-Yield Fastener Warning in the Preface section.

Caution: Refer to Fastener Caution in the Preface section.




9. Install the NEW wheel drive shaft nut (2) to the wheel drive shaft (1) tighten in 3 passes.



10. Using the CH-49376 holding wrench (1) with EN-956-1 extension (2).
11. Using a torque wrench and the appropriate size socket, tighten the wheel drive shaft nut to 150 N·m (111 lb ft).
12. Release the wheel drive shaft nut (2) trough 45°.
13. Retighten the wheel drive shaft nut (2) to 250 N·m (185 lb ft).
14. Install the tire and wheel assembly. Refer to Tyre and Wheel Removal and Installation .
15. Lower the vehicle.
16. Inspect the transaxle fluid level. Refer to Transmission Fluid Level and Condition Check .