GM 19181205
Outer Boot, Front

Before replacing the wheel drive shaft outer joint and boot clamp the drive Axle Shaft in a soft jawed vice while watching both boots to prevent damaging the vital sealing surface which causes premature wear. A flat-bladed tool should remove the boot clamp from the constant velocity (CV) joint and the boot. Discard both components before installing new clamps. The cv joint requires a wood block and hammer to detach from the drive shaft followed by removing the boot from the shaft to evaluate outer joint conditions. When installing the boot position it on the wheel drive shaft with care to have the boot rest fully inside the wheel drive shaft groove. A block of wood along with a hammer assists in installing the cv joint onto the wheel drive shaft while positioning approximately half of the lubricant within the boot and the cv joint separately. Begin boot assembly by adding the boot clamp to the boot section adjacent to the wheel drive shaft and the cv joint housing section of the boot. Maintain correct positioning for the entire boot circumference. Use the j 35910 - pliers to close the clamp until the gap reaches 2.15 mm (0.85 in). Following this, complete closure of the boot clamp using the ch 48894 - pliers. Before reinstallation, use the bench vise to extract the wheel drive shaft then guide the cv joint through four to five round movements for lubricant spreading before returning the shaft to the vehicle.

Inspect the outer CV joint for damage and wear.

Discard the retaining ring and CV joint seal, then remove the chrome alloy balls from the CV joint cage and clean all parts thoroughly.

Inspect the outer CV joint for damage and wear.