drivetrain

CV Axles - Front Pair

for 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV 65 kWh Single Motor FWD · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.8 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

Complete replacement of both front CV axles on the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, including removal from steering knuckles and drive unit output shafts.

Warnings

⚠️This is an electric vehicle. Ensure the vehicle is OFF and the 12V battery is disconnected before beginning work. Do not touch high-voltage orange cables.

⚠The axle hub nut is torqued to 250 Nm and must be loosened while the vehicle is on the ground with wheels installed to prevent hub rotation.

⚠Some transmission fluid may drain from the drive unit when axles are removed. Position drain pan accordingly.

ℹ️CV axles must be replaced as complete assemblies. Do not attempt to disassemble or reboot CV joints.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (50-300 Nm range)Essential

Breaker barEssential

32mm axle nut socketEssential

Pry barEssential

Ball joint separator toolEssential

Drain panEssential

Socket set (metric)Essential

Wheel chocksEssential

Punch and hammer (for axle nut staking)

Dead blow hammer

Wire brush

Parts

Front driver side CV axle assembly × 1 — GM OEM or equivalent for 2023 Bolt EUV
Front passenger side CV axle assembly × 1 — GM OEM or equivalent for 2023 Bolt EUV
Axle hub nut × 2 — Use new OEM nut with staking collar
Ball joint castle nut × 2 — Reuse if not damaged
Cotter pin × 2 — If applicable to ball joint design
Drive unit output shaft seal × 2 — Inspect and replace if damaged

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal and wait 2 minutes
Loosen (but do not remove) both front axle hub nuts while vehicle is on ground using breaker bar and 32mm socket
Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-recommended lift points
Remove both front wheels
Position drain pan under drive unit to catch any escaping transmission fluid

Procedure

1
Remove axle hub nut
Completely remove the previously loosened 32mm axle hub nut from both front axles. If nut was staked, you may need to use a chisel to free the staked portion. Discard old nuts as new ones must be used during reassembly.
2
Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
Remove the ball joint castle nut from the lower control arm ball joint. Use a ball joint separator tool to disconnect the ball joint from the steering knuckle. Do not hammer on the control arm threads. If equipped with cotter pin, remove and discard it first.
3
Disconnect outer CV joint from hub
Push the steering knuckle assembly outward and pull the outer CV joint stub shaft out of the wheel hub bearing. You may need to tap the end of the axle shaft with a dead blow hammer or use a brass drift. Support the axle to prevent damage to the inner CV joint boot.
4
Remove driver side CV axle from drive unit
Insert a pry bar between the inner CV joint housing and the drive unit case. Pry firmly to disengage the axle retaining ring from the differential side gear. Pull the axle straight out of the drive unit. Allow any escaping fluid to drain into the pan. Plug the drive unit opening with a clean rag to prevent further fluid loss and contamination.
5
Remove passenger side CV axle from drive unit
Repeat the removal process for the passenger side CV axle. Use the pry bar to disengage the retaining ring and extract the axle straight out from the drive unit. Plug the opening with a clean rag.
6
Inspect drive unit seals
Inspect both output shaft seals in the drive unit for damage, leaking, or wear. If seals show any damage or excessive wear, replace them now before installing new axles. Clean the seal mating surfaces with a wire brush if needed.
7
Install new driver side CV axle
Remove the plug from the driver side drive unit opening. Align the splines of the new CV axle with the differential side gear. Push the axle in firmly until the retaining ring clicks into place. Verify engagement by attempting to pull the axle back out - it should be firmly seated.
8
Install new passenger side CV axle
Remove the plug from the passenger side drive unit opening. Install the passenger side CV axle using the same procedure, ensuring the retaining ring fully engages. Verify proper seating by tugging on the axle.
9
Connect outer CV joints to wheel hubs
Guide each outer CV joint stub shaft through the steering knuckle and into the wheel hub bearing. Ensure the splines are properly aligned and push the shaft fully into the hub. The shaft should seat completely without excessive force.
10
Reconnect ball joints to steering knuckles
Position the lower control arm ball joint studs into the steering knuckle tapers. Install the ball joint castle nuts and tighten to specification. Install new cotter pins if applicable to your ball joint design.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
11
Install new axle hub nuts
Thread new 32mm axle hub nuts onto both axle stub shafts. Do not torque at this time - nuts will be torqued after wheels are installed and vehicle is on the ground.
12
Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
Install both front wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the wheels just contact the ground but most of the vehicle weight is still on the jack stands. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Then lower the vehicle completely to the ground and remove jack stands.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
13
Torque axle hub nuts
With the vehicle on the ground and parking brake applied, torque both axle hub nuts to 250 Nm using a calibrated torque wrench. After torquing, stake the nut collar into the axle groove using a punch and hammer to prevent the nut from loosening. If your axle design uses a cotter pin instead, install a new cotter pin.
Torque spec
Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
14
Reconnect battery and check fluid level
Reconnect the 12V battery negative terminal. Check the drive unit transmission fluid level through the fill plug. Top off with ACDelco Dexron VI ATF if needed to replace any fluid lost during axle removal.

Reassembly

Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification before test driving
Verify axle hub nuts are properly staked or pinned to prevent loosening
Double-check that ball joints are fully seated in steering knuckle tapers
Confirm CV axle retaining rings are fully engaged in drive unit by attempting to pull axles outward

Verification

Test drive the vehicle and listen for any clicking, popping, or grinding noises from the front axles during turns and acceleration
Verify no vibration is present during acceleration or at highway speeds
Inspect for transmission fluid leaks around the drive unit output shaft seals after test drive
Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving
Ensure steering operates smoothly with no binding through full range of motion

🔧Stuck on this cv axles - front pair? Take it to The Diag Desk.A human with 20+ years in the bay answers about YOUR Chevrolet within 24 hours — never AI. $25, and you're not charged unless you get an answer.Ask a tech →