Astro Van L AWD V6-4.3L VIN W (1996)
Fig. 15 Balance Shaft Assembly
1. Disconnect battery ground cable.
2. Remove engine cover, air cleaner box and intake duct.
3. Drain cooling system, then discharge A/C refrigerant, if equipped.
4. Remove hood latch, upper radiator shroud and oil cooler lines at radiator.
5. Disconnect necessary hoses and from radiator.
6. Remove radiator, headlight bezels, grille and radiator core support braces.
7. Remove horns, then disconnect A/C lines and support brackets, if equipped.
8. Remove A/C condenser, if equipped.
9. Remove radiator support crossover and fan assembly.
10. Remove accessory belts and heater hose at water pump.
11. Remove water pump and crankshaft pulley.
12. Using torsional damper puller tool No. J-23523, or equivalent, remove torsional damper.
13. Remove flywheel inspection cover, then loosen starter and drain engine oil.
14. Remove oil pan attaching bolts, nuts and reinforcements, then the oil pan.
15. Remove front cover attaching bolts, then the front cover. Use care when removing front cover from front of oil pan seal.
16. Remove timing chain bolts, then the timing chain, camshaft sprocket and balance shaft drive gear, Fig. 14.
17. Remove balance shaft driven gear and retainer, Fig. 15.
18. Remove intake manifold.
19. Remove lifter retainer.
20. Using soft faced hammer, remove balance shaft and front bearing.
21. Using balance shaft bearing service kit tool No. J-38834, or equivalent, remove balance shaft rear bearing.
