Front Propeller Shaft C/V Boot - Torn or Cracked
File In Section: 4 - Drive AxleBulletin No.: 46-41-02A
Date: October, 1998
Subject:
Front Propeller Shaft CV Boot Torn or Cracked
(Install New CV Joint and Boot)
Models:
1992-98 Chevrolet and GMC L Van Models
1995-97 GMC Jimmy Equipped with RPO F46
1991-94 Oldsmobile Bravada
1996-97 Oldsmobile Bravada
Equipped with RPO F46
This bulletin is being revised to add a model and add model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 46-41-02 (Section 4 - Drive Axle).
Condition
Some owners may comment that the front propeller shaft Constant Velocity (CV) joint boot may become torn or cracked causing the CV joint to become noisy. Failure of the CV joint may cause a driveline vibration and may produce a dark brown milky grease to emit from the end of the joint breather hole. Owners may not notice this condition until a grease spot appears under the vehicle or when the vehicle is serviced for routine maintenance.
Cause
Conditions may be caused from the CV joint boot material becoming damaged at the clamp area, or the large ring retainer for the outside diameter of the boot dislodges and the lubrication within the CV joint escapes causing the CV joint to become noisy.
Correction
To repair this condition, a Service Procedure has been developed which includes the replacement of an assembled front CV joint and boot with a new clamp and filled with grease.
Service Procedure
Removal Procedure (Figures 1 and 2)
1. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.
2. Remove the propeller shaft attaching bolts from the transfer case (Figure 1, Item 2).
3. Remove the propeller shaft attaching bolts from the front axle pinion flange (Figure 1, Item 3).
4. Remove the front propeller shaft (Figure 1, Item 1) from the vehicle.
5. Secure front propeller shaft horizontally in a vise.
6. Remove the boot clamp.
7. Using a cutting tool, remove enough of the rubber boot (Figure 2, Item 1) from the CV joint (Figure 2, Item 5) in order to gain access to the shaft's "Captured" snap ring inside the CV joint housing.
8. Open the snap ring and pull the shaft (Figure 2, Item 4) away from the CV joint housing (Figure 2, Item 5).
9. Clean off the end of the old stub shaft.
Installation Procedure (Figures 1, 2, and 3)
Tool Required
Kent Moore J 35910 Clamp Installer
1. Install loose boot clamp on the CV joint boot prior to inserting the end of the old shaft into the new CV joint kit.
2. Forcibly push the shaft in the new CV joint in order to engage the snap ring on the shaft. An audible sound should be heard when engagement of snap ring occurs on the shaft. Verify engagement of the snap ring to the shaft by attempting to separate both components.
3. Locate the boot clamp in the groove of the boot seal groove for the clamp.
4. Using the clamp installer tool with a breaker bar and torque wrench, crimp the boot clamp into position on the CV joint boot (Figure 3). Leave approximately 1/16 inch of a gap in the boot clamp (Figure 3).
5. Re-install the front propeller shaft into the vehicle. There are no "alignment" marks on the new joint for a balance reference.
Tighten:
^ Bolts to transfer case to 125 N.m (92 lb ft) (Figure 1, Item 2).
^ Bolts to front axle flange to 72 N.m (53 lb ft) (Figure 1, Item 3).
6. Road test the vehicle for driveline disturbances. If the road test reveals a disturbance, re-index the front propeller shaft on the axle flange. If after 3 attempts at re-indexing the propeller shaft still does not achieve an acceptable balance, use the Electronic Vibration Analyzer (EVA) to system balance the front propeller shaft. Refer to Section 0C of the appropriate Service for further details).
Parts Information
P/N Description Qty
26047645 Kit (Cross-Groove and Boot) 1
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
Warranty Information
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
Labor Operation Description Labor Time
F1200 Propeller Shaft, Use Published
Front of Transfer Labor Operation
Case - Replace Time