GM 88957231
CV Joints

The first step to replacing the front wheel drive shaft inner joint boot requires removal of the wheel drive shaft. Secure the wheel drive shaft bar inside a soft jawed vise for handling. Remove the boot retaining clamp using a flat-bladed tool from the boot that covers the tripot housing. Afterward cut the boot clamp off the wheel drive shaft boot using side cutters. The tripod housing requires removal from the wheel drive shaft while using suitable tools to take out both the retaining clip and the tripot spider. After removing the boot from the wheel drive shaft examine its inner joint for both damage and signs of wear and tear. During boot assembly place both elements on the wheel drive shaft while making sure the boot fits completely in the grooved wheel drive shaft configuration. Screw the tripot spider assembly onto the wheel drive shaft until the shoulder comes into position and use appropriate tool to install the retaining ring in the wheel drive shaft. Use the j 42572 - clamp tool to close the boot clamp at a 1.0 mm (0.040 in) gap. First put half of the lubricant into the boot followed by the rest in the tripot housing before mounting the housing onto the wheel drive shaft. Screw on the boot clamp for tripot housing followed by the boot clamp for wheel drive. With the j 35566 - clamp tool lock down the boot clamp and remove residue lubricant from the wheel drive shaft before moving the tripot housing to spread the lubricant into the tripot joint then reinstalling the wheel drive shaft.

Begin the front wheel drive shaft outer joint boot replacement process by removing the wheel drive shaft but maintain the inboard and outboard boot's sealing surface integrity. Place the drive Axle Shaft inside a soft-jawed clamping device. First remove the boot clamps with a flat-bladed tool from the constant velocity (CV) joint and the boot while using side cutters to remove the clamp from the boot and wheel drive shaft. Modern boot clamps must be replaced by fresh new clamping accessories. A wooden block and hammer allow you to remove the cv joint from the wheel drive shaft while also discarding the retaining clip. Use this opportunity to inspect the outer cv joint for damage and wear by removing the wheel drive shaft's boot. Place the boot correctly onto the wheel drive shaft to enable its proper fit inside the grooved wheel drive shaft . Fitting the cv joint onto the wheel drive shaft requires a block of wood and a hammer for installation. Keep the gap measurement between 1.0 mm (0.040 in). Managed by j 42572 - drive axle seal clamp pliers you should close the boot clamp until the gap shows 1.0 mm (0.040 in) measurement. People should put approximately half the lubricant into both the boot and the cv joint housing. After installing the boot clamp on the boot and wheel drive shaft you should put the boot clamp on the boot and cv joint housing while making sure closure occurs and proper seating is achieved. The j 42572 - drive axle seal clamp pliers along with a ratchet wrench should be used to close the boot clamp so its gaps reach a width of 1.0 mm (0.040 in). Position the cv joint for circular movements while performing four to five rotations to spread the lubricant through the joint. Afterward, remove the wheel drive shaft and residual lubricant from the bench vise before reinstalling the assembly.

Before replacing the Front Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint Boot, the wheel drive shaft needs removal from the vehicle while maintaining boot sealing surfaces intact by avoiding boot cuts along the inboard or outboard boot edges. Place the drive axle shaft inside a soft-jawed vise for installation. Remove the boot clamp from both the boot of the constant velocity (CV) joint and wheel drive shaft using flat-bladed and side cutter tools. Install fresh boot clamps instead of the worn ones. A block of wood combined with a hammer helps users remove the CV joint from the wheel drive shaft before discarding the retaining clip. Before replacing the boot on the wheel drive shaft carefully check the outer CV joint for any signs of damage or wear. The boot needs to fit correctly into the wheel drive shaft when you position it there. The CV joint assembly should be hammered onto its wheel drive shaft location using wood as a strike block to maintain a gap under 1.0 mm (0.040 in). Use the J 42572 - pliers to close the boot clamp like this: adjust it until the gap reaches 1.0 mm (0.040 in). Dispense half of the lubricant into the boot before moving to the CV joint housing to complete the lubricant installation. Screw the boot clamp onto both the boot and wheel drive shaft before securing the boot clamp to both the boot and CV joint housing until it seats properly. Lubricate the boot and CV joint housing with a 1.0 mm (0.040 in) gap using J 42572 - pliers and a ratchet wrench. Move the CV joint through four to five circular motions to spread the lubricant inside the CV joint. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the bench vise while wiping away any remaining excess lubricant before placing the wheel drive shaft assembly.

Position the cage with the larger radius corners up, insert the inner race into the cage, and ensure the grooved surface of the inner race faces up.

Ensure the seal is not deformed and position the joint assembly to the proper vehicle dimension, measuring the distance between the seal edges to be 104.7 mm (4.12 inch).

Discard the axle shaft retaining ring and remove the seal from the axle shaft.

Install a new small seal retaining clamp, followed by the seal and a new retaining ring.

Approximately 60 percent of the grease from the service kit.

Discard the axle shaft retaining ring and seal, then clean all parts thoroughly with solvent and air dry.

Remove the housing from the tripot joint spider and the wheel drive shaft bar, then discard the old retaining ring using the Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059).

Engage the inner race splines onto the axle shaft splines, compress the axle shaft ring spacer, and press the end of the retaining ring into the axle shaft groove while firmly pressing the inner joint onto the axle shaft.

Wrap a shop towel around the wheel drive shaft bar and secure it horizontally in a bench vise.

Discard the axle shaft retaining ring and seal, then clean all parts with solvent and air dry.

Inspect the outer joint for smooth operation by holding the wheel drive shaft vertically and rotating it several times before reinstalling the wheel drive shaft.