[stevegantt]

Just replaced driveaxle on 97 Malibu. Problem is it doesn't go fully into the seal. I have taken the snap rings off to see if one was hanging, but it is not- same issue. Made sure it bottoms out in the transmission and axle. I looked inside the output spline and there is a bar the stub shaftseems to hit. I have tried in all gears-problem persists. I tried 2 different axles/manufacturers - same issue. I feel like there is something I am missing. It looks like the stub shaft is about 1/2 inch too long??? It causes transmission fluid to leak. replacing seal now is pointless because you can see that the milled portion of the axle does not enter the seal. I hope there is someone out there that has run into this before.

 

[stevegantt]

I took the Malibu to the transmission shop and got them to take a look at it. Seems this model 1997 mostly uses that same driveaxle, but on about 4 (exaduration) uses a different one. This one is identical except where the shaft goes inside the transmission. The difference is in the depth of stub shaft receptor and the way the machined shoulder is built (the pars that rides in the seal. Mine the same side all the way to the end, no taper. I hope this helps if you run intoo the same issue. Tomorrow I replace the headliner...