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HOMESERVICE MANUALSOLDSMOBILE2004BRAVADA RWDREPAIR AND DIAGNOSISEXTERNAL PAGESDIFFERENT CARSECTION 28 (DRIVE AXLES)REMOVAL & INSTALLATIONDRIVELINE SUPPORT ASSEMBLYINSTALLATION
2004 Oldsmobile Bravada RWD

Driveline Support Assembly: Installation

2004 Oldsmobile Bravada RWDSECTION Installation
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette and 2002 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE: Manufacturer recommends flushing transmission oil cooler when servicing driveline support assembly. See OIL COOLER FLUSHING under LUBRICATION in appropriate SERVICING A/T article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
  1. Remove the strap retaining the transmission torque converter.
  2. Slowly slide the driveline support assembly to the transmission, while supporting the transmission torque converter.
  3. Install the transmission-to-driveline support assembly bolts/studs and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  4. Install the rear exhaust hangers to the driveline support assembly.
  5. Install the rear exhaust hanger mounting bolts and tighten to specification.
  6. Install transmission oil cooler pipes into position.
  7. Install transmission oil cooler pipe front and rear retaining clamps and bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  8. Install transmission oil cooler pipe middle clip.
  9. Install transmission oil cooler pipe rear clip.
  10. Remove the caps from the transmission oil cooler pipes and remove the plugs from the fittings on the transmission.
  11. Align, start and hand-tighten the transmission oil cooler pipe fittings to the transmission fittings. Tighten transmission oil cooler pipe fittings to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  12. Position the chainfall, or equivalent lifting device, in a way which will protect the transmission oil cooler rear pipes and the rear exhaust hangers located on the driveline support assembly.
    13. NOTE: The aid of an assistant will be necessary for the following steps until the driveline is installed into the vehicle.
  13. Using the lifting device, raise the driveline off the workbench and position the driveline with the Drivetrain Support Fixture (J-42055) onto a transmission jack.
  14. Connect the Drivetrain Support Fixture to the transmission jack.
  15. Remove the lifting device from the driveline.
  16. Position the driveline under the vehicle.
  17. Begin to raise the driveline at the approximate angle used during removal.
  18. Position the wiring harness along the driveline support assembly and loosely install the harness into the harness retaining slots.
  19. Have an assistant guide the front of the driveline so the propeller shaft is just to the rear of the engine flywheel housing, then raise the driveline to the proper height and the proper angle to install to the engine.
    20. CAUTION: Use care not to use too much force to install the propeller shaft into the propeller shaft hub. The propeller shaft front bearing positioning system is designed to withstand an insertion force not greater than 130 lbs. (582 N).
  20. Have an assistant begin to insert the propeller shaft into the propeller shaft hub while maintaining the proper angle of the driveline. If necessary, use a screwdriver to rotate the shaft slightly to position and align the splines.
  21. Slowly seat the driveline to the engine flywheel housing while maintaining the proper angle of the driveline.
  22. Reposition the wiring harness bracket to the driveline support assembly bolt hole.
  23. Install driveline support assembly-to-engine flywheel housing bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  24. Install the wiring harness to the wiring harness retainer along the top of the transmission.
  25. Slowly raise the driveline to approximately 2.0" (51 mm) below the final installed height.
  26. Remove the caps from the front of the transmission oil cooler pipes and remove the plugs from the junction fittings at the engine flywheel housing.
  27. Align, start and hand-tighten the transmission oil cooler pipe-to-junction fittings at the engine flywheel housing. Tighten transmission oil cooler pipe-to-junction fittings at engine flywheel housing to specification.
  28. Install the transmission wiring harness-to-left side transmission case retaining bolt and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  29. Connect the Park/Neutral Position (PNP) switch electrical connectors. See Figure.
  30. Align the arrows on each half of the transmission wiring harness 20-pin connector and reconnect. See Figure.
  31. Connect the wiring harness clip to the top of the differential. See Figure.
  32. Connect the wiring harness retainer to the stud at the differential rear cover.
  33. Connect the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) electrical connector. See Figure.
  34. Slowly raise the driveline to final installation height.
  35. Remove the jack which supported the engine.
  36. Remove the tie-off retainers from the axle shafts.
  37. Carefully align and seat the axle shafts to the differential.
  38. Install the transaxle mount and bracket to the differential. See Figure.
  39. Install the transaxle mount bracket-to-differential bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  40. With the aid of an assistant, begin to raise the rear suspension crossmember (still firmly attached to a transmission jack) to the vehicle frame rails.
  41. Guide the rear suspension crossmember alignment pins into the alignment holes in the vehicle frame rails, and guide the transmission mount studs into the mounting holes in the crossmember, then raise the crossmember until it contacts the frame rails.
  42. Using only hand tools, install NEW rear suspension crossmember mounting nuts and tighten to specification.
  43. Remove the transmission jack from the rear suspension crossmember.
  44. Release the Transmission Support Fixture from the transmission, then remove the Transmission Support Fixture and transmission jack.
  45. Install the transmission mount-to-rear suspension crossmember nuts and tighten to specification.
  46. Connect the wiring harness and brake pipe clip retainers to the rear suspension crossmember.
  47. Support one of the 2 lower control arms with a straight jack.
  48. Connect the lower ball joint to the suspension knuckle. It may be necessary to use an allen wrench to keep the ball joint stud from spinning while tightening the ball joint stud nut. Tighten lower control arm ball joint stud nut to specification in 3 steps. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  49. Install the shock absorber lower mounting bolt and tighten to specification.
  50. Connect the outer tie rod end to the suspension knuckle. Tighten outer tie rod end nut to specification in 3 steps. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  51. Remove the straight jack from the suspension control arm.
  52. Repeat steps  47- 51 for the other side of the vehicle.
    53. NOTE: The rear transverse spring stud bolt must have a minimum of 2 threads showing above the nut.
  53. Using Transverse Spring Compressor (J-33432-A), compress rear transverse spring. See Figure. Install the rear transverse spring to the vehicle. Install the rear transverse spring spacers, insulators and mounting brackets to the crossmember. Tighten the rear transverse spring mounting bracket bolts to specification. Position the transverse spring to the lower control arms and install the spring bolts, insulators and nuts. See Figure. Release and remove the Transverse Spring Compressor. Set the transverse spring stud height to the height measured during removal. See Figure. Install the retainers to the bolts.
  54. Carefully position the wiring harness into the L-shaped brackets along the driveline support assembly. See Figure. Align the harness retainer locator to the hole in the forward bracket, and secure in place.
  55. Install the transmission shift cable and bracket into position.
  56. Connect the transmission shift cable to the transmission shift lever. Press to secure the cable.
  57. Install the transmission shift cable bracket nuts to the transmission and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
    58. NOTE: The following step must be performed to ensure proper torque converter balance during installation.
  58. Using a flat-bladed tool, remove the transmission torque converter access plug. Carefully rotate the torque converter, working through the access holes in the rear bellhousing and the transmission housing. Align one of the torque converter bolt holes with the driveline support assembly access hole. Slowly turn the engine flexplate through the starter motor opening until the desired flexplate bolt hole lines up with the torque converter bolt hole using the reference marks made prior to removal.
    59. NOTE: Hand-start the flexplate-to-torque converter bolts before tightening to ensure proper alignment and to avoid cross threading. Carefully walk the transmission torque converter to the transmission flexplate through the torque converter access plug opening, if necessary. DO NOT use the flexplate-to-torque converter bolts to draw the torque converter to the flexplate.
  59. Install the flexplate to torque converter bolt through the driveline support assembly access hole. Hand-tighten until finger-tight. Slowly turn the engine flexplate through the starter motor opening until the remaining flexplate bolts line up with the driveline support assembly access hole for installation access. Hand-start the remaining flexplate-to-torque converter bolts.
  60. Slowly turn the engine flexplate through the starter motor opening until the desired flexplate bolt lines up with the driveline support assembly access hole for installation access. Install the Flywheel Holding Tool (J-42386-A) to the engine flexplate, in order to keep the flexplate from turning. Tighten the first flexplate-to-torque converter bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove the Flywheel Holding Tool. Slowly turn the engine flexplate through the starter motor opening until the remaining flexplate bolts line up with the driveline support assembly access hole for access. Reinstall the Flywheel Holding Tool (J-42386-A) to the engine flexplate, in order to keep the flexplate from turning. Tighten the remaining flexplate-to-torque converter bolts to specification, one at a time. Remove the Flywheel Holding Tool.
  61. Position the starter motor to the block. Install the starter bolts and tighten to specification. Install the Purple lead wire to the starter solenoid "S" terminal and orient at the 10 o'clock position. Install washer and retaining nut onto starter "S" terminal. Tighten starter "S" terminal nut to specification. Install the Gray lead wire to the starter solenoid positive terminal and orient at the 6 o'clock position. Install the rust-colored lead wire to the starter solenoid positive terminal and orient at the 7 o'clock position. Install the positive battery cable terminal to the solenoid. Install the positive battery cable nut and tighten to specification.
    62. CAUTION: During this step, the propeller shaft hub clamp bolt is tightened finger-tight only. Vehicle must be completely assembled, ran to operating temperature and allowed to cool to room temperature before final-tightening the propeller shaft hub clamp bolt.
  62. Install the torque converter access plug. Install the rear bellhousing access plug. Install and hand-tighten the propeller shaft hub clamp bolt, until finger-tight only. See Figure. Remove the propeller shaft front bearing positioning bolts (M10 - 1.5 X 55 mm) installed into driveline support assembly upon removal.
  63. Install the 2 driveline support assembly plastic plugs and tighten to specification. See Figure.
  64. Install driveline tunnel closeout panel and tighten bolts to specification. See Figure. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  65. Remove the tie-off retainer from the left muffler. See Figure.
  66. Slide the muffler blade into the exhaust hanger. Install a NEW muffler gasket. Install exhaust muffler bolts and tighten to specification. Position the stabilizer shaft upwards. Install the rear stabilizer shaft brackets and insulators. Install the rear stabilizer shaft bracket bolts and nuts and tighten to specification. See Figure.
  67. Install the catalytic converter assembly. See CATALYTIC CONVERTERS .
  68. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies. Tighten wheel lug nuts to specification.
  69. Lower the vehicle.
  70. Connect the negative battery cable.
  71. Program the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters. See appropriate ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
    72. CAUTION: The following steps must be performed in order to provide proper alignment of the propeller shaft hub, the propeller input shaft and the propeller input shaft front bearing.
  72. Start and idle engine until normal operating temperature is reached.
  73. Turn engine off and allow powertrain to cool to room temperature.
  74. Raise and support vehicle. Remove engine flywheel housing access plug.
  75. Tighten propeller shaft hub clamp bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . See Figure.
  76. Install engine flywheel housing access plug.
  77. Flush transmission oil cooler. See OIL COOLER FLUSHING under LUBRICATION in appropriate SERVICING A/T article in AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.
  78. Lower the vehicle.


    NOTE: Ensure that the clutch hydraulic hoses are positioned away from nearby vehicle components or vehicle damage may result.
  1. Slowly slide the driveline support assembly to the transmission, while guiding the shift rod through the opening in the driveline support assembly.
  2. Install transmission-to-driveline support assembly bolts/studs. Tighten transmission-to-driveline support assembly bolts/studs to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  3. Install rear exhaust hangers to driveline support assembly.
  4. Install rear exhaust hanger mounting bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  5. Install clutch actuator cylinder to the driveline support assembly.
  6. Install clutch actuator cylinder mounting bolts and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  7. Loosely install a rubber band onto the transmission shift rod and position just behind the shift rod clamp. See Figure. The rubber band will be used to aid in installing the shift control assembly after the driveline has been installed.
  8. Using a piece of masking tape, or similar tape which can be easily broken, affix the transmission shift rod to the driveline support assembly and position the rod just to the outside of the mounting boss used for the shift control. The tape is intended to keep the shift rod in position to aid in shift control installation after the driveline has been installed.
  9. Position the chainfall, or equivalent lifting device, in a way which will protect the rear exhaust hangers located on the driveline support assembly.
  10. Using the lifting device, raise the driveline off the workbench and position the driveline with the Transmission Support Fixture (J 42055) onto a transmission jack.
  11. Connect the Transmission Support Fixture to the transmission jack.
  12. Remove the lifting device from the driveline.
  13. Position the driveline under the vehicle.
  14. Begin to raise the driveline at the approximate angle used during removal.
  15. Position the wiring harness along the driveline support assembly and loosely install the harness into the harness retaining slots.
  16. Have an assistant guide the front of the driveline so the propeller input shaft is just to the rear of the engine flywheel housing, then raise the driveline to the proper height and the proper angle to install to the engine.
  17. Have an assistant begin to insert the propeller input shaft into the clutch driven plate hub while maintaining the proper angle of the driveline. If necessary, use a screwdriver to rotate the shaft slightly to bring the splines into alignment.
  18. Insert a putty knife, or similar tool, between the edge of the shifter bracket on the side of the driveline support assembly and the brake pipe retainer on the wall of the driveline tunnel.
  19. Slowly seat the driveline to the engine flywheel housing while maintaining the proper angle of the driveline.
  20. Reposition the wiring harness bracket from near the driveline tunnel wall to align with the appropriate driveline support assembly bolt hole.
  21. Install the driveline support assembly-to-engine flywheel housing bolts. Tighten the driveline support assembly-to-engine flywheel housing bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  22. Install the wiring harness to the wiring harness retainer along the top of the transmission.
  23. Slowly raise the driveline to approximately 2" (51 mm) below the final installed height.
  24. Connect the transmission fluid temperature sensor electrical connector, if equipped. See Figure.
  25. Connect the gear select (skip shift) solenoid electrical connector.
  26. Connect the reverse lockout solenoid electrical connector.
  27. Connect the backup lamp switch electrical connector.
  28. Connect the wiring harness clip to the top of the differential. See Figure.
  29. Connect the wiring harness retainer to the stud at the differential rear cover.
  30. Connect the Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) electrical connector. See Figure.
  31. Slowly raise the driveline to final installation height.
  32. Remove the putty knife, if still in position.
  33. Remove the jack which supported the rear of the engine.
  34. Remove the tie-off retainers from the axle shafts.
  35. Carefully align and seat the axle shafts to the differential.
  36. Install the transaxle mount with bracket to the differential. See Figure.
  37. Install the transaxle mount bracket-to-differential bolts. Tighten the transaxle mount bracket-to-differential bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  38. With the aid of an assistant, begin to raise the rear suspension crossmember (still firmly attached to a transmission jack), to the vehicle frame rails.
  39. Guide the rear suspension crossmember alignment pins into the alignment holes in the vehicle frame rails, and guide the transaxle mount studs into the mounting holes in the crossmember, then raise the crossmember to seat to the frame rails.
  40. Using only hand tools, install NEW rear suspension crossmember mounting nuts. Tighten the rear suspension crossmember mounting nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  41. Remove the transmission jack from the rear suspension crossmember.
  42. Release the Transmission Support Fixture from the transmission, then remove the Transmission Support Fixture and transmission jack.
  43. Install the transaxle mount-to-rear suspension crossmember nuts. Tighten the transaxle mount-to-rear suspension crossmember nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  44. Connect the wiring harness and brake pipe clip retainers to the rear suspension crossmember.
  45. Support the lower control arm with a jack.
  46. Connect the lower ball joint to the suspension knuckle. Tighten lower control arm ball joint stud nut to specification in 3 increments. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  47. Install the rear shock absorber lower mounting bolt. Tighten the rear shock absorber lower mounting bolt to specification.
  48. Connect the outer tie rod end to the suspension knuckle. Tighten outer tie rod end nut to specification in 3 increments. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  49. Remove the straight jack from the suspension control arm.
  50. Repeat steps  45- 49 for the other side of the vehicle.
  51. Install the rear transverse spring. See appropriate REAR - CORVETTE article in SUSPENSION.
  52. Carefully pull the wiring harness down into the L-shaped brackets along the driveline support assembly, align the harness retainer to the hole in the forward bracket, then secure in place. See Figure.
    53. CAUTION: DO NOT rely on an audible click or a visual verification of the clutch hydraulic hose quick connect fitting connection.
  53. Connect the clutch actuator cylinder hose to the clutch master cylinder hose. Push together the clutch hydraulic hose quick connect fittings, then pull back on the fittings to verify engagement.
  54. Check the clutch hydraulic hoses for twists or kinks.
  55. Install the clutch actuator cylinder hose to the hose retaining clip (at the rear of the engine).
  56. Install the driveline tunnel closeout panel and tighten bolts to specification. See Figure.
  57. Remove the tie-off retainers from the muffler assemblies.
  58. Install the catalytic converter assembly. See CATALYTIC CONVERTERS .
  59. Install the rear tire and wheel assemblies and tighten the wheel lug nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  60. Lower the vehicle.
  61. Connect the clutch master cylinder pushrod to the clutch pedal.
  62. Install the clutch master cylinder pushrod retainer.
  63. Install the left instrument panel lower insulator panel.
  64. Grasp the transmission shift rod and pull up to break the masking tape installed earlier to maintain position during installation.
  65. Stretch the rubber band, while still installed onto the transmission shift rod, over the rear stud on top of the driveline tunnel to aid in shift control installation. See Figure.
  66. Install the shift control assembly. See Figure.
  67. Break and remove the rubber band.
  68. Install the shift control closeout boot. Check that the closeout boot fully seats to the shift control lever seal and the base of the shift control assembly.
  69. Install the shift control closeout boot retaining nuts. Tighten the shift control closeout boot retaining nuts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  70. Install the instrument panel accessory trim plate.
  71. Install the shift control boot over the shift control lever.
  72. Align the shift control boot to the IP accessory trim plate opening, then press to lock the boot retaining tabs.
  73. Adjust the shape of the boot for appearance, if necessary.
  74. Screw the shift control knob onto the shift control lever until the knob bottoms out. See Figure.
  75. Unscrew the shift control knob just enough to align the retainer slot with the slot on the shift control lever.
  76. Install the shift control knob retainer into the slots and seat fully. See Figure.
  77. Install the shift control knob button.
  78. Install the console.
  79. Connect the negative battery cable and tighten bolt to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
  80. Program the Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitters. See appropriate ANTI-THEFT SYSTEMS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
  81. Fill and bleed the clutch hydraulic system.
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  • • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
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