GM 20768561 Front Drive Axle Inner Shaft

Power is transmitted from the front differential/axle to the front wheels through a pair of driveaxles, with the inner end of each driveaxle bolted to an axleshaft connected to the differential side gears, while the outer end features a stub shaft splined to the front hub and bearing assembly, secured by a large nut. The inner ends are equipped with sliding constant velocity (CV) joints that allow for both angular and axial motion, consisting of a tripot-type bearing and a housing that enables sliding as the driveaxle moves with the wheel. In contrast, the outer ends have ball-and-cage type CV joints, which permit angular movement but not axial, featuring six caged ball bearings between an inner race and the housing. Common symptoms of worn or damaged CV joints include lubricant leaks, a clicking noise during turns, a clunk when accelerating after coasting, and vibration at highway speeds. To check for wear, grasp each axle individually and rotate it in both directions while holding the CV joint housings, feeling for play that indicates worn splines or sloppy joints, and inspect the driveaxle shafts for cracks, dents, and distortion.

Adjustments on clutch gears for the 9.25-inch axles, if required after changing any part of the right front drive axle, must be made by a professional mechanic, the appropriate shim being on the front axle clutch gear. First, they have to unscrew the wheel lug nuts, lift the vehicle hing on jackstands, and then taken off the right front wheel. If equipped, take off the differential carrier splash shield and drain the lubricant from frontal differential. Remove the bolts on the shift motor actuator bracket and disconnect the electrical connector and the harness of the right AXLE SHAFT HOUSING. For 8.25-inch axles, always go ahead and take the power steering assist motor and the right front shock absorber. Loosen the 2 bolts located on the right drive axle next to the axle shaft flange above the outer CV joint and hang the axle using a wire so that it is out of the CV joint path. For 9.25-inch axles, take the front axle shift motor and the right stabilizer end link. The differential carrier has a tendency to cock when the axle tube is removed and to prevent this, jack the differential using a floor jack and place a block of wood on the differential. Take off the nuts holding the axle shaft to its support bracket as well as the bolts that fix axle shaft flange with the differential carrier. Remove the axle shaft 'O' ring using the brass punch and hammer by tapping it gently on the axle shaft and then disconnect the shaft from the differential case side gear, follow by pulling off the inner axle shaft assembly and the axle shaft from the vehicle. For 9.25-inch axles, remove the bearing and seal by taking the axle shaft to a qualified technician and for 8.25-inch axles and using special tool to pull the bearing from the clutch shaft replace the inner seal and bearing with a new one. For installment, new gasket has to be used to install inner axle shaft housing assembly and torque the bolts to the mentioned degree. Screw the axle shaft on the support bracket and fasten the nuts then take the necessary torque. To install inner axle shafts for 8.25-inch axles, the splines of the inner axle shaft have to be correlated with the splines on the differential side gear by turning on the inner axle shaft and then giving it a few taps with a mallet; the ring clip on the axle shaft should go into a groove in the differential case side gear. Place the axle shaft onto the inner flange and fasten the required bolts in the axle shaft flange and tourque them. With the proper lubricant fill the differential, installing the differential carrier splash shield, after that, install the wheel lug nuts, lower the vehicle and finally, torque the lug nuts to the proper torque as required and test the vehicle.

The first step is to release the parking brake tension.

Take out the driveaxle-to-axleshaft flange bolts while having an assistant apply the brake to prevent the driveaxle from turning.

Installation is the reverse of removal, ensuring the axleshaft is held level to engage the splines properly, using a new gasket on the flange, and keeping mating surfaces clean before tightening the flange bolts.

Power is transmitted through a pair of driveaxles equipped with sliding constant velocity (CV) joints capable of both angular and axial motion.

4WD models use a fully independent front axle assembly.