Driveline Support Assembly Cleaning and Inspection

Tools Required 

J 7872  Magnetic Base Dial Indicator Set

1. Clean all bolts and bolt holes of threadlocking material.
2. Clean the components in solvent.
   CAUTION: Wear safety glasses in order to avoid eye damage.
3. Dry the components with compressed air.
4. Inspect the hub for the following:
   • Damaged bolt hole threads (1)
   • Damaged snap ring grooves (2)
   • Worn splines (3)
   • Worn or scored surface (4)
   • Worn or damaged bushing
     Fig 1: Locating Hub Components

     Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
5. Inspect the couplings for the following:
   • Loose or damaged inserts (1)
   • Worn, cracking, or deteriorated rubber (2) MINOR cracking of the rubber is normal and acceptable. If the cracks expose any frayed fabric or internal windings, replace the coupling.
     Fig 2: Inspecting Couplings

     Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
6. Inspect the propeller shaft for the following:
   • Damaged bolt hole threads (1)
   • Loose or missing balance weights (2)

     Balance weights may have been installed and removed during the balancing process. In those cases, a weld mark will remain on the propeller tube.

     Inspect the inside of the driveline support tube for a missing balance weight.

   • Loose or damaged snubber (3) - manual transmission
   • Dented or damaged propeller shaft tube (4)
   • Worn, bent, loose, or damaged pins (5)
     Fig 3: Inspecting Propeller Shaft

     Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Inspect the propeller shaft pins for proper installation. The pin should extend beyond the flange 30 mm (1.18 in).
   Fig 4: Inspecting Propeller Shaft Pins For Proper Installation

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Measure the propeller shaft runout.
   Fig 5: Measuring Propeller Shaft Runout

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
   1. 8.1. Mount the propeller shaft in wooden V-blocks or between centers on a fixture.
   2. 8.2. Check the runout of the propeller shaft in multiple locations, including the barrel ends, using the J 7872. 
   3. 8.3. If propeller shaft runout exceeds 0.3 mm (0.118 in), the propeller shaft is bent and should be replaced.
9. Inspect the snubber - manual transmission - for wear or a flat spot on the outer edge.
10. Check the runout of the snubber.

    If the runout of the outer edge of the snubber exceeds 2 mm (0.79 in), replace the propeller shaft.

11. Inspect the bearing housing hub for the following:
    • Damaged bolt hole threads (1)
    • Damaged snap ring grooves (2)
    • Worn or damaged splines (3)
    • Worn or damaged bushings

      Bushings that have been removed from the hub will be damaged and should not be reused. Install NEW bushings during assembly.

      Fig 6: Inspecting Bearing Housing Hub

      Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
12. Inspect the flexplate spindle - automatic transmission - for the following:
    • Damaged bolt hole threads (1)
    • Damaged snap ring grooves (2)
    • Worn or damaged splines (3)
    • Damaged threads (4)
      Fig 7: Inspecting Flexplate Spindle - Automatic Transmission

      Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Inspect the input hub - automatic transmission - for the following:
    • Worn or damaged splines (1)
    • Damaged bolt hole threads (2)
      Fig 8: Inspecting Input Hub - Automatic Transmission

      Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. Inspect the bearing housing for the following:
    • Damaged O-ring or snap ring grooves (1-2)
    • Damaged threads (3)
    • Worn or scored bearing bores
      Fig 9: Inspecting Bearing Housing

      Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
15. Inspect the bearings for the following:
    Fig 10: Locating Driveline Tube Components

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    • Damaged grease seals
    • Excessive wear or roughness of operation Bearings should rotate freely with no coarseness or rough feel
16. Inspect for bent or broken snap rings (1), replace as required.
17. Inspect the driveline tube for the following:
    • Damaged bolt hole threads
    • Damaged front O-ring groove
    • Worn or scored front bearing bore
    • Missing or damaged bellhousing dowel pins
    • Damage to the exterior of the tube
    • Cracked welds