GM 26073381
CV Joints, Front

The replacement and servicing of the constant velocity joint boot including wheel drive shaft outer joint and seal demands the following toolkit: j 41048 drive axle swage ring clamp and j 8059 snap ring pliers together with j 35910 drive axle seal clamp pliers. You need three specific tools to complete the job including: j 41048 drive axle swage ring clamp, j 8059 snap ring pliers, j 35910 drive axle seal clamp pliers. Start by cutting away the large clamp from the CV Joint with a side cutter then discard it but avoid damaging the wheel drive shaft inboard seal. A hand grinder will cut through the swage ring so you can remove it. When working on the CV Joint the technician first removes the outboard halfshaft seal while pulling it toward the component's bar. Use the snap ring pliers to widen and then spread the race retaining ring's ears before cleaning the CV Joint inner race. Disassemble the CV Joint assembly from the halfshaft bar before you discard the existing outboard seal. A brass drift used with a hammer will help you tilt the CV Joint cage until all six chrome alloy balls fall out. Use cleaning solvent to wipe all components of the inner and outer race assemblies and also clean the CV Joint cage and chrome alloy balls. Subsequently dry the parts and check for any signs of wear or damage making replacements as needed. Clear the halfshaft bar of rust by brushing it with a steel wire to prepare the seal mounting space. Place the halfshaft inside a vise then position the new swage ring or eared clamp around the outboard seal's neck before putting the outboard seal onto the halfshaft bar. To install a swage ring place the halfshaft assembly's outboard end into the j 41048 then align the swage ring by applying bolts alternately until they become tight. Rotating the swaged ring for any signs of damage and redersoning if damages are present. Apply a torque of 136 n.m (100 lb ft) via the j 35910 and torque wrench while using a breaker bar to crimp the eared clamp. Confirm that the gap dimension is accurate. Next put grease into the ball grooves of both races before sliding the inner race into the cage and setting it next to the outer race. Insert chrome balls first followed by packing the CV Joint with grease before pushing the CV Joint onto the halfshaft bar until the retaining ring finds its seat. Use a j 35910 tool to crimp the large clamp which seals the outboard of the CV Joint's outer race to 174 n.m (130 lb ft) torque. Verify the clamp ear gap dimensions join.

Other tools required for wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal replacement include you will need swage tool (J 41048) and snap ring pliers (J 8059) and seal clamp tool (J 35910). Swage tool (J 41048), snap ring pliers (J 8059), and seal clamp tool (J 35910). Start your procedure with swage ring removal from the halfshaft bar using a hand grinder which should preserve the halfshaft bar integrity. Separate the inboard seal from the trilobal tripot bushing at the large diameter by pulling it away from the joint along the halfshaft bar. Next, use side cutters to remove and discard the large seal retaining clamp from the tripot joint. Through the use of snap ring pliers (J 8059) separate the spacer ring across its tapered surface. Put the spacer ring along with the tripot joint spider onto the halfshaft bar before removing its retaining ring from the groove to extract this assembly from the halfshaft bar. Use cleaning solvent to completely clean both the tripot joint spider assembly and housing before drying all components thoroughly. During the cleaning process remove all old grease and contaminants. Check both the inboard seal and tripot joint spider assembly as well as the housing and trilobal tripot bushing for any damage or signs of wear. First put the new swage ring onto the inboard seal neck without the swaging process before placing the halfshaft inboard seal onto the halfshaft bar's grooved section. Apply the swage tool (J 41048) to set correctly the inboard portion of the halfshaft assembly with special attention to avoiding damage at the inboard seal. Swage rings should be aligned then tightened using the tool while inspecting the rings for deformities before possible re-swaging. Slip the spacer ring onto the halfshaft bar with the tripot spider's counterbored face facing the halfshaft bar end before inserting the tripot joint spider assembly toward the spacer ring. Position the halfshaft bar retaining ring using snap ring pliers (J 8059) while installing it into its groove and repositioning the spacer ring before applying the service kit grease to both the inboard seal and housing. Insert the trilobal tripot bushing into the housing while making sure it rests flush before placing the bigger new clamp onto the inboard seal for sliding the housing toward the tripot joint spider assembly. Position the joint assembly at the correct vehicle dimension with the inboard seal and housing and large seal retaining clamp in proper alignment before verifying the inboard seal's proper shape. Use the seal clamp tool (J 35910) to fix the seal retaining clamp at 174 nm (130 ft. Lbs.) while also making sure the clamp ear gap maintains the correct dimension.

Check the swaged ring for deformities and re-swage if necessary.

Separate the halfshaft outboard seal from the CV joint outer race and slide the seal away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.

Begin by removing the large seal retaining clamp from the CV joint with a side cutter and discard it, followed by the small seal retaining clamp from the halfshaft bar.

Clean the inner and outer race assemblies, CV joint cage, and balls thoroughly with cleaning solvent, removing all traces of old grease and contaminants before drying the parts.

Slide it away from the joint and remove the housing from the tripot joint spider, discarding the trilobal tripot bushing, spacer rings, and inboard boot.

Place the new swage ring onto the small end of the joint seal and slide them onto the halfshaft bar.

Disconnect the swage ring from the halfshaft bar using a hand grinder, ensuring not to damage the halfshaft bar.

If equipped, install the spacer ring into the groove of the halfshaft bar using Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059), slide the tripot joint spider assembly onto the halfshaft bar, and install the spacer ring again.

Tighten the bolts of the clamp alternately until snug, then align the seal, swage ring, and halfshaft bar, tightening each bolt 180 degrees at a time.

Spread the ears on the race retaining ring with the Snap Ring Pliers (J8059) and remove the CV joint assembly from the halfshaft bar.

Crimp the clamp with J 35910 to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.) and check the gap dimension on the clamp ear, tightening as necessary to achieve a gap dimension of 2.60 mm (0.102 inch).

Use a breaker bar and a torque wrench to tighten to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.).

Align and latch the halfshaft inboard seal, tripot housing, and large seal retaining clamp, crimping the clamp with J35910 to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.), and check the gap dimension on the clamp ear, tightening further if necessary until the gap dimension reaches 2.60 mm (0.102 inch).

Swage Tool (J 41048), Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059), and Seal Clamp Tool (J 35910).

Clean the halfshaft bar with a wire brush to remove rust in the seal mounting area.

Remove the housing from the tripot joint spider and the halfshaft bar, then spread the spacer ring using Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059).

Place the new swage ring onto the joint seal and position it on the halfshaft bar.

Spread the spacer ring using Snap Ring Pliers (J8059).

Use a brass drift to gently tap and tilt the CV joint cage to remove the chrome alloy balls, repeating until all six are removed.

Separate the halfshaft outboard seal from the CV joint outer race at the large diameter and slide the seal away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.

Install the new trilobal tripot bushing to the housing, ensuring it is flush with the face, then position the larger new clamp on the inboard seal.

Clean the grease from the CV joint inner race and use J 8059 to spread the ears on the race retaining ring.

Use a hand grinder to cut through the swage ring for removal.

Place a new small seal clamp onto the small end of the joint seal and slide it onto the wheel drive shaft bar.

The wheel drive shaft inboard seal, tripot joint spider assembly, housing, and tri-lobal tripot bushing.

Fully stroke the joint several times to disperse the grease.

Drive Axle Swage Ring Clamp (J 41048), Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059), and Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35910).

Wipe grease from it and use J 8059 to spread the ears on the race retaining ring to remove the CV joint assembly from the bar.