GM 89040355
Inner Boot

Begin wheel Drive Shaft inner joint and boot replacement by installing the driveshaft into a vise equipped with protective covers over its jaws for protection. First use a hand grinder to cut through the big retaining clamp located at the d/o joint so you can discard it then repeat the process with the small retaining clamp at the seal's small end and dispose of it too. Push the seal down the driveshaft bar until it moves past the d/o joint. A common hand tool can remove the d/o ball retaining ring before pulling the d/o joint housing off the driveshaft bar. The small retaining ring requires spreading while using tool j 8059 before removing the cage and inner race assembly from the driveshaft bar to extract the balls. Degrease all components after you remove the inner race from its cage then throw the seal away. Inspect the driveshaft bar for rust using a wire brush to clean out seal mounting areas before checking the d/o joint housing for any damage or wear and replacing it as needed. To install the seal put a new small retaining clamp onto the neck of the seal before sliding it to its proper position on the driveshaft bar. Use j 35910 (or equivalent) together with a torque wrench and breaker bar to apply 136 nm (100 lb ft) torque when securing the small retaining clamp. Position the cage so the larger diameter faces upwards before setting the inner race with its retaining ring side up into the cage window. Insert six balls inside the cage openings. Insert the cage/inner race assembly onto the driveshaft bar while using j 8059 to install the small retaining ring then pack the seal and d/o joint housing with pre-measured grease obtained from the kit. Install the new large retaining clamp onto the seal followed by sliding the d/o joint housing down the cage and inner race assembly then inserting the d/o ball retaining ring into the top housing groove. Installation of the seal onto the d/o joint housing requires checking the inboard stroke position before using j 35910 (or equivalent) with a torque wrench to secure the new large retaining clamp and seal at 176 nm (130 lb ft). To disperse grease across the d/o joint you must execute multiple full strokes.

Degrease all parts thoroughly, clean the driveshaft bar with a wire brush, and check the D/O joint housing for any damage.

Check the gap dimension on the clamp ear, angulate the CN joint several times to disperse the grease, and install the inner seal.

Remove the inner seal without damaging the outer race.

Check for wear or damage and replace it if necessary.

Check the gap dimension on the clamp ear.

Place the driveshaft in a vise with protective covers over the jaws to prevent damage.