Front Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement

Front Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement

Special Tools

* CH 48894 - Wheel Drive Shaft Boot Clamp Pliers

* DT 35910 - Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers

For equivalent regional tools, refer to Special Tools Tools and Equipment.

Note:
The outer Constant Velocity Joint is not serviced separately. If the CV joint is found to have excessive wear or damage, replace the wheel drive shaft as an assembly.

Disassemble Procedure

1. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vehicle.

* For the left wheel drive shaft, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side (GNA) Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side (GNA).

* For the right wheel drive shaft, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side (GNA) Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side (GNA).





2. Clamp the drive axle shaft in a soft jawed vice.





Caution:
Do not cut through the wheel drive shaft inboard or outboard boot during service. Cutting through the boot may damage the sealing surface of the housing and the tripot or the constant velocity joint bushing. Damage to the sealing surface may lead to water and dirt intrusion and premature wear of the constant velocity joint.

3. Using a flat-bladed tool, remove the boot clamp (2) from the constant velocity (CV) joint (1) and the boot (3).

4. Using a pair of side cutters, remove and discard the boot clamp (4) from the boot (3) and the wheel drive shaft (5). Replace with NEW clamps.





5. Using a block of wood and a hammer, remove the CV joint (2) from the wheel drive shaft (1).





6. Remove the boot (1) from the wheel drive shaft (2).

Assemble Procedure





1. Position the boot (1) on the wheel drive shaft (2).





2. Ensure that the boot (1) is properly seated in the groove (2) in the wheel drive shaft (3).





3. Place approximately half the lubricant (2) inside the CV joint boot (1) and the other half in the CV joint (3).





4. Using a block of wood and a hammer, install the CV joint on the wheel drive shaft (1).





5. Install the inboard boot clamp (4) on the boot (3) and the wheel drive shaft (5).

6. Install the outboard boot clamp (2) on the boot (3) and the CV joint housing (1).





Note:
Ensure that the boot clamp is properly positioned around the entire circumference of the boot.

7. Using the DT 35910 - pliers(1), close the clamp (2) until the gap (3) measures 2.15 mm (0.85 in).





Note:
Ensure that the boot clamp is properly positioned around the entire circumference of the boot.

8. Using the CH 48894 - pliers(1), close the boot clamp (3).

9. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the bench vise.

10. Move the CV joint in a circular motion 4 to 5 times to distribute the lubricant.

11. Install the wheel drive shaft in the vehicle.

* For the left wheel drive shaft, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side (GNA) Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side (GNA).

* For the right wheel drive shaft, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side (GNA) Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side (GNA).