How to Replace the Intermediate Shaft for a Chevy S-10 Pickup

The intermediate shaft on a Chevy S-10 pickup truck is a shaft that runs from a truck's transmission to the wheels. The intermediate shaft is connected at the transmission on one end. On the other end, it's connected to the hub assembly. The intermediate shaft is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. The shaft has at least one joint in every vehicle, called a CV joint. Over time, this joint fails and unfortunately when this happens, the entire shaft needs to be replaced.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tire wrench
• Jack
• 2 Jack stands
• Pliers
• Spindle nut socket
• Socket wrench with socket set
• Impact wrench with air compressor
• Tie rod end puller
• Ball joint separator tool
• Flat head screwdriver
• Zip ties
• Hard grease
• New cotter pin

1. Engage the truck's emergency brake.

2. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheels you will be working on. Turn them 1/4 turn counterclockwise with a tire wrench.

3. Jack up the Chevy using the designated jack points. There are two-one located just behind the radiator on the front crossmember, and one located in the rear under the rear bumper.

4. Place the jack stands under the pinch welds in the front and rear of the vehicle (if you are replacing the rear shafts as well) and lower the vehicle onto the vehicle.

5. Finish loosening the lug nuts and remove the wheel.

6. Loosen the axle nut using an impact wrench. Turn the axle nut counterclockwise.

7. Remove the bolts on the brake caliper mounting bracket, pull the caliper off the brake rotor, and secure it to the coil springs using the zip ties.

8. Remove the brake rotor. To do this, pull the rotor straight off the wheel hub assembly.

9. Separate the lower control arm from the damper fork using a ball joint separator. Wedge the teeth of the ball joint tool between the control arm and the damper fork. Pound on the end of the handle of the ball joint tool with a hammer.

10. Swing the knuckle and wheel hub assembly out of the way while you pull the intermediate shaft out of the transmission on the S-10. You will probably have to pry it out of the transmission with a screwdriver as they tend to be quite secure in there.

11. Install the new intermediate shaft. Installation is the reverse of removal.

References

• Chevrolet S-10, GMC S-15 Pick-ups, Blazer, Jimmy, Olds Bravada Repair Manual 1982-1993; Robert Maddox, John H. Haynes; 1998

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