GM 26073382
CV Joints, Front

In order to replace the wheel drive shaft outer joint and seal, begin turning the large seal retainer clamp from the CV Joint using a side cutter and discard it. Carefully use a hand grinder on a swage ring cut through to the seal and CV Joint outer race large diameter to remove halfshaft outboard seal from the joint outer race, slide seal from joint along the half shaft bar. Clean grease from the face of CV Joint inner race, then disperse the ears on the race retaining ring with j8059 (J8059). Take off the CV Joint assembly from the halfshaft bar and throw the old outboard seal away. A brass drift will be then used to carefully knock the CV Joint cage to tilt it and force the chrome alloy balls out, doing this 6 times to eliminate all the chromium alloy balls. Clean the inner and outer race assemblies, CV Joint cage and chrome alloy balls with the help of cleaning solvent, ensuring all the old grease and contaminants are removed, and in the process dry all the parts and check for abnormal wear, cracks and damage in the CV Joint assembly and replace it if it is damaged. Use a wire brush to clean the half shaft bar and remove rust at the seal mounting area. For installation, slide the new swage ring onto the neck of the outboard seal without swaging, then slide the outboard seal onto the halfshaft bar, positioning on the seal groove. Swage the ring using j 41048 (J 41048) by aligning it and tightening the bolts until tight by alternating each bolt. Inspect the swaged ring for deformities and re-swaged if needed. Put a thin layer from the service kit on the ball grooves of the inner and outer race and slide that into the cage with the correct alignment. Mount the cage and inner race into the outer race, pack the chrome balls, and grease the CV Joint. Push the CV Joint onto the halfshaft bar to such an extent that the retaining ring can sit with no damage to the outboard seal. Lastly, slide in the large outboard seal with the large seal retaining clamp installed over the outer race of CV Joint and crimp using j 35910 (J 35910) to 174 nm (130 ft lbs.), checking the gap dimension of the clamp ear and adjusting as necessary.

For this service and repair of the constant velocity joint, namely for the front wheel drive shaft outer joint and seal replacement, the following tools are necessary: drive axle swage ring clamp (J 41048), snap ring pliers (J 8059 ), and drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 35910). To start with, use a side cutter to remove the massive seal retaining clamp from the CV Joint and dispose of it. Use a hand grinder to cut and sever the swage ring for it to be removed. Remove the halfshaft outboard seal from the CV Joint outside race and slide it away from the junction towards the halfshaft bar. Apply grease removal from CV Joint inner race and depression snap ring pliers on ears race retaining ring. Take out the CV Joint assembly and remove the halfshaft bar from the CV Joint assembly, then discard the used outboard seal. A brass drift is carefully used to tap and tilt the CV Joint cage until the chrome alloy balls have been taken out one by one a total of six times. Clean inner and outer race assemblies, CV Joint cage, and chrome alloy balls to remove all the old grease and contaminants using the cleaning solvent and let dry all components and inspect for severe wear, cracks, or damages and replace the damaged parts. Use a wire brush to clean the halfshaft bar and remove rust in the seal mounting area. Mount into assembly the new swage ring onto the seal outboard neck without swaging; then place the outboard seal around the halfshaftbar; place it in the seal groove. Swage the ring on using the drive axle swage ring clamp by aligning the bolt, then tighten the bolts alternately and until they are snug, then inspect the deformities and re-swage if required. Use a thin layer of grease onto the ball grooves of the inner and outer races, pack the inner race into the cage and align it with the outer race. Press in the chrome balls, filling the CV Joint with grease, and make sure the outboard seal is correctly shaped. At last, slide large diameter of the outboard seal onto the outer race of CV Joint with large seal retaining clamp in place and crimp the clamp by using the drive axle seal clamp pliers to the specified torque and examine the gap dimension on the clamp ear.

Use side cutters to remove and discard the large seal retaining clamp from the tripot joint.

Check the gap dimension on the clamp ear and adjust as necessary.

Remove the large seal retaining clamp from the CV joint with a side cutter and discard it.

Add grease to the halfshaft inboard seal and repack the housing, ensuring the trilobal tripot bushing is flush with the housing face.

Mount Drive Axle Swage Ring Clamp (J 41048) in a vise, position the inboard end of the halfshaft assembly in the tool, align the top of the seal neck on the bottom die, and place the top half of the tool on the lower half.

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

Tighten the bolts alternately until snug, then install the spacer ring using J 8059 and slide the tripot joint spider assembly toward it.

Remove the seal from the bar and gently tap on the CV joint cage with a brass drift and hammer to remove all chrome alloy balls.

Slide the spacer ring and tripot joint spider back onto the halfshaft bar, remove the halfshaft bar retaining ring from the groove, and slide the tripot joint spider assembly off the halfshaft bar.

Apply a light coat of grease from the service kit to the ball grooves of the inner and outer races.

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

Apply a light coat of grease from the service kit on the ball grooves of the inner and outer races, then insert the inner race into the cage while holding it at a 90-degree angle.

Check the gap dimension on the clamp ear, tightening until a gap dimension of 2.60 mm (0.102 in) is reached, and fully stroke the joint several times to disperse the grease.

Slide the large diameter of the outboard seal over the CV joint outer race and crimp the seal retaining clamp using Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35910), a breaker bar, and a torque wrench, tightening to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.), and check the gap dimension on the clamp ear, adjusting as necessary.

Slide the spacer ring and tripot joint spider back onto the halfshaft bar, remove the halfshaft bar retaining ring from the groove, and slide the tripot joint spider assembly off the halfshaft bar.

Insert the chrome balls and pack the CV joint with grease.

Discard the old outboard seal and use a brass drift to gently tap and tilt the CV joint cage to remove all six chrome alloy balls.

Clean the halfshaft bar and inspect the spider assembly for wear or damage.

Install the new swage ring on the neck of the outboard seal without swaging.

Install the new swage ring on the neck of the outboard seal without swaging, then slide the outboard seal onto the halfshaft bar, positioning it in the seal groove.

Use side cutters to remove and discard the large seal retaining clamp from the tripot joint.

Slide the housing over the tripot joint spider assembly and ensure the inboard seal is properly shaped.

Remove the small seal retaining clamp on the halfshaft bar.

A brass drift and hammer.

Crimp it using the Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) and tighten it to 136 Nm (100 ft. lbs.).

Align the halfshaft inboard seal, tripot housing, and large seal retaining clamp, crimping the seal retaining clamp with the Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35910) to the specified torque, and inspect the gap dimension on the clamp ear, tightening further if necessary.

Remove it from the halfshaft bar and discard the old outboard seal.

Push the CV joint onto the halfshaft bar until the retaining ring is seated, then slide the large diameter of the outboard seal over the CV joint outer race and crimp the large seal retaining clamp using J 35910, a breaker bar, and a torque wrench to 176 Nm (130 ft. lbs.). Check the gap dimension on the clamp ear and tighten further if necessary.