C/V Boot, Inner - Contacts Front Shock
91oldsmobile04
NUMBER: 91-T-161
CORP.REF.NO.: 164301 R
DATE: July 1991
SECTION: 4C
SUBJECT AXLE INNER C/V BOOT CONTACTS FRONT SHOCK
INSPECT SHOCKS/AXLE, INSTALL SMALLER PROFILE BOOT
MODELS/YEARS 1991 BRAVADA
Some 1991 Bravadas may exhibit a condition where the front axle tri-pot seals (commonly referred to as the Inner C/V boots) are contacting the front shock absorbers. This contact usually occurs during suspension operation and may be evidenced as torn seals, premature wear on the outer edges of the seal convolutes or grooves worn into the body of the shock absorber.
This condition can be relieved by correcting problems with shock absorber or axle installation and the installation of smaller profile tri-pot seals.
SERVICE PROCEDURE: The following items should be checked and verified to provide the greatest amount of clearance for the tri-pot seals.
^ The shock absorbers are installed correctly with the fluid reservoir on the bottom and the shield on the top.
^ If aftermarket shock absorbers have been installed, their diameier must measure 50.4 mm (1.98") or less.
^ The output shaft retaining ring is in place. To check, pull outward on the output shaft. Outward movement should measure 5 mm (.200") or less.
Important: DO NOT cut or relocate shock absorber mounting brackets.
Figure 16:
If the contact between the tri-pot joint and shock absorber is occurring on the passenger side of the vehicle, the axle assembly may be shifted in the frame too far toward the passenger side. To correct this condition refer to Figure 16 and follow the procedure below.
1. Loosen bolts (90) attaching the axle tube bracket (5) to the frame bracket (6).
2. Tighten nuts (94) to 75 N-m (55 lbs.ft.). This should cause the axle assembly to move toward the driver's side approximately 1/8" to 1/4". If the axle does not move it may pried toward the driver's side with a bar. Position bar against the frame and the end of the shaft (1).
3. Tighten bolts (90) to 75 N-m (55 lbs.ft.).
SEAL REPLACEMENT: After checking the shock absorber installation and front axle location, smaller profile tri-pot seals may be installed. These smaller seals can be identified by their visibly smaller profile and by the number 26027961 which is molded onto the seal.
Required Tools:
J 28733 Axle Remover
J 24319-01 Tie Rod Puller
J 8059 Snap Ring Pliers
J 35910 Seal Clamp Tool
J 34026 Ball Joint Separator
Figure 1:
Drive Axle Removal:
1. Raise vehicle and support it with suitable safety stands.
2. Remove the wheel and tire assembly.
3. Insert a drift or large screwdriver through brake caliper into one of the brake rotor vanes to prevent drive axle from turning (Figure 1).
Figure 2:
Figure 3:
4. Remove drive axle cotter pin, retainer, nut, and washer (Figure 2).
5. Loosen (do not remove at this time) six bolts securing inboard C/V joint drive flange to output shaft companion flange (Figure 3).
Figure 4:
6. Remove brake line support bracket from upper control arm to allow extra travel of knuckle (Figure 4).
7. Remove cotter pin and nut from the outer tie rod.
Figure 5:
8. Separate the outer tie rod ball stud from the steering knuckie using J24319-01 (Figure 5).
Notice: Do not attempt to disengage the joint by driving a wedge-type tool between the joint and the knuckle because the seal may be damaged.
9. Push linkage to opposite side of the vehicle and secure older tie rod up and out of the way. This will provide the needed clearance to remove the drive axle.
Figure 6:
10. Remove the lower shock mounting nut and bolt (Figure 6).
11. Collapse the shock absorber.
12. Move the shock absorber up, away, and secure.
Figure 7:
13. Depending on the type of hoist, it may be required to position floor stand between the spring seats and the lower control arm ball joint for maximum leverage. The weight of the vehicle is used to relieve the spring tension on the upper control arm.
Caution: The floor jack or stand must remain under the control arm spring seat while servicing the drive axle to maintain spring and control arm position. Failure to do so could result in personal injury.
14. Disconnect the cotter pin.
15. Remove the stud nut from the upper ball joint.
Figure 9:
16. Lossen the stud using J34026 a move away from the knuckle (Figure 7).
17. Tip the knuckle out and toward the rear of the vehicle. Suspend the knuckle to prevent straining the brake line (Figure 9).
Important: Cover the shock mounting bracket and the ball stud on the lower control arm with a shop towel to prevent possible drive axle seal damage during removal and installation.
Figure 8:
18. Install J28733 on brake rotor and separate outer C/V joint splined shank from knuckle hub (Figure 8).
19. Remove six bolts (loosened earlier) from inboard joint flange.
20. Support inboard end of drive axle. Free splined shank from hub and remove drive axle from vehlcle.
Important: Wipe the wheel bearing seal area on the knuckle clean. Check the seal for cuts or tears.
21. Lubricate the seal lip. If seal is cut or torn, inspect the wheel bearing for damage and replace the seal.
22. If necessary, replace the seal as follows:
Pry old seal from knuckle and discard. Lubricate the new seal lip. Use a flat plate to press the seal down flush with the knuckle.
Tri-pot Housing/Tri-pot Seal Replacement:
Required Tools:
J8059 Snap Ring Pliers.
J35910 Seal Clamp Tool.
1. Place drive axle in vise (use protective covers over vise jaws).
Figure 10:
2. Remove seal clamp protectors (Figure 10) if used, from inner C/V joint and cut clamp(s) from seal with a pair of side cutters. For swage ring removal use a hand grinder to cut through the ring (taking care not to damage the housing).
3. Remove tri-pot housing from drive axle and wipe grease from tri-pot assembly roller bearings and housing. Thoroughly degrease the housing and allow to dry prior to assembly.
Important: Handle tri-pot spider assembly with care. Tri-pot balls and needle rollers may separate from spider trunnions.
4. Slide seal up on the shaft and inspect rollers, needle bearings, and trunnions. Check housing unusual wear, cracks, and other damage. Replace housing and/or tri-pot assembly as needed.
Figure 11:
5. To remove the spider assembly (also required for seal replacement), spread the spacer ring with tool J8059 or equivalent and slide the ring and spider assembly up on the shaft (Figure 11). This will provide access to the shaft retaining ring in the groove at the end of the shaft. Remove the retaining ring, spider assembly, spacer ring, and seal.
Figure 12:
Figure 13:
6. Clean the shaft. If rust is present in the seal mounting area (grooves), wire brush this area (Figure 12).
7. Slide the new small seal clamp and seal onto the shaft to the proper position.
8. Secure the clamp with tool J35910, breaker bar and torque wrench. Torque small clamp to 136 N-m (100 lbs.ft.). Check clamp ear gap dimension (Figure 12).
9. Install convolute retainer over seal capturing four convolutes (Figure 13).
Important: Joint must be assembled with convolute retainer in position as shown in Figure 13. Seal damage will result if joint is not assembled to dimension shown.
Figure 14:
10. Install spacer ring and spider assembly (with counterbore toward end of shaft) on the shaft far enough to allow installation of the retaining ring at the end of the drive axle (Figure 14).
11. Install the retaining ring and push the spider assembly toward the end of the shaft until retaining ring is covered by the spider assembly counterbore. Install the spacer ring and make sure it is seated in its groove.
12. Pack the seal and housing with grease supplied in the kit, (the amount of grease supplied in this kit has been premeasured for this application), place the large metal clamp on the seal, then place the housing over the spider assembly and snap the seal onto the housing.
Figure 15:
13. Secure the large metal clamp and seal to the housing with tool J35910, breaker bar and torque wrench. Torque the large clamp to 176 N-m (130 lbs.ft.). Check clamp ear gap dimension (Figure 15).
Drive axle Installation:
1. Prior to drive axle installation, cover shock mounting bracket, lower control arm ball stud, and all other sharp edges with shop towels so that the seal is not damaged during assembly.
2. Remove convolute retainer.
3. Insert and draw up outer C/V joint splined shank into knuckle hub; then secure inboard C/V joint flange to companion flange with bolts (do not tighten). Install hub washer and nut. Seat shank splines in hub.
4. Connect the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle.
5. Attach the stud nut and torque 83 N-m (61 lbs.ft.).
6. Install new cotter pin.
7. Lubricate the upper ball joint until grease appears at the seal.
8. Remove floor jack or stand from beneath lower control arm, if used.
9. Connect the shock absorber to the lower shock-mounting bracket.
10. Attach the shock mounting bolt and nut. Torque the nut and bolt to 73 N-m (54 lbs.ft).
11. Attach outer tie rod to steering knuckle.
12. Install tie rod nut and torque to 47 N-m (35 lbs.ft.).
Important: Advance the nut to align the nut slot with the cotter pin hole. Never back the nut off to align the cotter pin hole.
13. Install new cotter pin and spread the ends to secure.
14. Attach the brake line support bracket to the upper control arm. Torque to 17 N-m (13 lbs.ft.).
Important: Make sure that the brake hose is not twisted or kinked or damage to the hose could result.
15. Insert a drift-through brake caliper to prevent drive axle from turning and torque inboard flange bolts 80 N-m (60 lbs.ft.).
16. Torque hub nut to 220-270 N-m (162-199 lbs.ft.).
17. Attach retainer.
18. Align cotter pin hole with retainer slot by rotating retainer.
Important: DO NOT back off or tighten hub nut more than specified to install cotter pin.
19. Install new cotter pin. Cotter pin must be bent so retainer is held snugly to prevent rattling.
20. Remove drift, install wheels, and lower vehicle.
SERVICE PARTS INFORMATION:
Part Number Description Quantity Required
26027964 Seal Kit, Tri-Pot 1 per side
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
WARRANTY INFORMATION:
Labor Operation Number Labor Time Trouble Code
F1500 (Right Side) 1.6 92
F1501 (Left Side) 1.6 92
F1507 (Both Sides) 3.2 92