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Home › Pontiac › 2001 › Aztek Base, FWD › Repair and Diagnosis › External Pages › Different car › Section 1601 (Rear Drive Axle) › Repair Instructions › Differential Replacement › Removal Procedure

Removal Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Saturn Vue. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
    Fig 1: Removing/Installing Intermediate Pipe & Muffler Assembly
    GM926831Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  1. Raise and support the vehicle. Refer to Lifting and Jacking the Vehicle .
  2. Disconnect and remove the intermediate exhaust pipe and muffler assembly from the front pipe. Refer to Muffler Replacement (Production Assembly) or Muffler Replacement (Service Part) .
  3. Remove the rear wheel drive shafts. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .
    4. Fig 2: Removing/Installing Propeller Shaft Flange Mounting Bolts
    GM928922Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  4. Reference mark the propeller shaft flange-to-rear drive module (RDM) input flange.
  5. Place a support stand under the rear of the propeller shaft.
  6. Remove the propeller shaft flange mounting bolts.
    7. Fig 3: View Of Propeller Shaft
    GM928930Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  7. Reference mark the power take-off unit (PTU) flange-to-propeller shaft constant velocity (CV) joint.
  8. Place a support stand under the front of the propeller shaft.
  9. Remove the propeller shaft CV joint mounting bolts.
    10. Fig 4: View Of Propeller Shaft, Support Bearing & Bolts
    GM928924Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  10. While supporting the propeller shaft, remove the support bearing mounting bolts from the vehicle underbody.
  11. Remove the propeller shaft from the vehicle.
    12. Fig 5: Removing/Installing RDM Rear Mounting Bracket
    GM929547Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  12. Place a support stand under the RDM and secure the RDM.
  13. Remove the RDM support bracket. Refer to Differential Carrier Assembly Mount Replacement .
  14. Remove the left and right RDM support mounting nuts and discard the nut.
  15. Remove the left and right RDM mounting bolts.
  16. Carefully remove the RDM from the vehicle.
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