OEM 2001 Chevrolet Astro CV Joint

2001 Chevrolet Astro Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the inner CV Joint and seal on 2001 Chevrolet Astro?

  A: For wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal replacement start by collecting these tools: snap ring pliers (J 8059), small seal clamp tool (J 35910), large seal clamp tool (J 35566). You need snap ring pliers (J 8059) alongside small seal clamp tool (J 35910) and large seal clamp tool (J 35566) for this job. Furthman first uses side cutters to remove the large boot clamp on the tripot boot followed by removing the tripot housing with bushing from the halfshaft bar. This process requires wiping away all grease from the tripot assembly roller bearings and housing. First clean the housing and bushing with 320 grit 3m cloth to remove transmission booting surface corrosion before allowing them to dry before reassembly. Trim the small boot clamp from the halfshaft bar end of the tripot boot with caution to protect the tripot spider assembly from breakdown of its tripot balls and needle rollers. First position the tripot boot towards the outboard halfshaft bar end. Afterward use snap ring pliers to spread the spider spacer ring. Continue sliding the spider spacer ring and tripot spider assembly together up the halfshaft bar for removal of the retaining ring along with the boot and assembly and spacer ring. Use a wire brush to clean the halfshaft bar's boot mounting area from rust then check the needle rollers along with the needle bearings and trunnion for wear damage before replacing defective parts. Installation of the new small boot clamp on the joint boot should be combined with placement of the tripot boot and small boot clamp on the halfshaft bar then securing the clamp with the small seal clamp tool and a breaker bar and torque wrench at 136 nm (100 ft. Lbs.). The joint must be built with the convolute retainer in its proper position to avoid boot damage. First install the convolute retainer over the inboard boot so it captures three convolutions before adding the first spacer ring and tripot spider assembly onto the halfshaft bar followed by the second spacer ring installed in the groove at the end of the bar. Seat the spacer ring inside its designated groove after pushing the spider assembly so the counterbore area hides the retaining ring. Put the pre-measured grease from the kit inside the tripot boot and housing before fitting the large retaining clamp to the boot and putting the housing on the spider assembly. The installation of the large retaining clamp and boot on the housing requires use of the large seal clamp tool to achieve 176 nm (130 ft. Lbs.) torque then extract the convolute retainer from the boot.