For 1990-2009 cars

# SMU - Revised Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement and Fastener Tightening Specifications

Subject: | Revised Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement and Fastener Tightening Specifications

Models: | 1997-2003 Chevrolet Malibu

| 1999-2003 Oldsmobile Alero

| 1999-2003 Pontiac Grand Am

This bulletin is being issued to revise the Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement procedure and the Fastener Tightening Specifications in the Front Wheel Drive Shafts sub-section of the Service Manual. Please replace the current information in the Service Manual with the following information.

The following information has been updated within SI. If you are using a paper version of this Service Manual, please make a reference to this bulletin on the affected page.

A new solid drive axle nut, P/N 10289657, was installed on vehicles after the start of production. It was a different torque specification from the first design axle nut, P/N 22652364.

Application | Specification
--- | ---
Metric | English
Drive Axle Nut First Design | 385 N·m | 284 lb ft
Drive Axle Nut Second Design | 235 N·m | 173 lb ft

Vehicles beginning with VIN breakpoints 3M666352 and 3C261481 will be equipped with the new axle nut.

Important: Some vehicles built prior to the above-listed VIN breakpoints will be equipped with this new nut due to the trail production run.

The first design nut is a Pac-style nut that is painted black. The second design is a Solid-style nut that is gray.