How to Remove a Silverado's Drive Shaft
by Allen MooreThe Chevrolet Silverado pickup employs a driveshaft to transfer torque from the transmission to the rear differential. If you need to remove the differential or the transmission, you'll have to remove the driveshaft first.
Another reason for driveshaft removal is to have the shaft balanced to remove a vibration. Regardless of your reasoning for removing the driveshaft, if you have basic automotive-repair skills and about 30 minutes of free time, you can remove a Silverado's driveshaft on your own.
Step 1
Lift the Silverado's rear end with the floor jack and support it on two jack stands, placed under the rear axle out near the spring perches.
Step 2
Slide underneath with the socket set and tape. Remove the bolts holding the rear of the driveshaft to the differential yoke. Use caution to prevent the u-joint from falling out of the yoke.
Step 3
Wrap electrical tape around the ends of the u-joint to keep the caps from falling off.
Step 4
Place the third jack stand under the front end of the driveshaft. Grab the shaft and pull it towards the rear of the Silverado until it pulls out of the transmission. Shove the rag into the transmission to keep dirt out.
References
- "Chevrolet and GMC Pick-ups 1988 thru 1998: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 1998
- "Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra 1999 thru 2006: Haynes Manual"; Ken Freund; 2006
Things You'll Need
- Floor jack
- 3 jack stands
- Socket set
- Electrical tape
- Rag
Writer Bio
Allen Moore's career includes awards in poetry and creative fiction, published lyrics, fiction books and nonfiction articles as well as a master certification in automotive service from the Ford Motor Company. Moore is a contributing writer for RF365.com and various other websites, a ghostwriter for Rainbow Writing and has over a dozen works of fiction currently in print.
