Driveaxle retaining nut

[Captain Ahab]

Hey I was wondering what size the driveaxle retaining nut is on a '97-'03 Malibu or '03-'04 Classic.

Have a wheel bearing starting to go bad (I think).

Any help is greatly appreciated.

[AD2BU]

I don't remember the exact size, but when I replaced the bearing/hub assembly on my 98, I went to AutoZone and they had a replacement axle in stock and we used that to get the right size socket. Rented the socket and puller from them for $0. Remember to loosen the retaining nut with the vehicle on the ground (with a big breaker bar). You won't be able to loosen it once you have the vehicle up - even with an impact wrench. Also, the torque is like 175 ft-lbs (or something pretty high). I just went to the max on my torque wrench and then took another 1/8 turn with a breaker/cheater bar and called it good.

Good luck with the repair. The bolts that hold the hub on the back side are difficult to get a socket/torque wrench on.

[maxwedge]

36mm nut and 275 is way too much torque, should be about 150 or on some bearings look for the specs in the box.

[AD2BU]

Wow - bad typo on my part. I meant 175.

[manicmechanix]

What's funny is the original specs was something really high like 284 lb ft and I think it was causing the bearing to go out. GM issued a TSB with a new torque spec of about 175 ft lbs and a new nut.