OEM 2001 Chevrolet Corvette CV Joint

2001 Chevrolet Corvette CV Joint Parts and Q&A

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

  A: Before you start replacing the wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal, you will need a number of tools: drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 42572). Start by wrapping the Axle Shaft with a shop towel and submerge the wheel drive shaft horizontally into a bench vise. Eliminate the big and little seal retaining clamps from the CV Joint seal by means of a side cutter, discard cases afterwards. If the seal is now visible, prise or saw it from the outside to separate it from the joint outer race on the large diameter end and put it at the back of the joint face. Next, install the wheel drive shaft in bench vise with inner joint upward, displace the joint outer race toward the vise and pry off the outer race retaining ring using a small flat-bladed screwdriver. Gently pry out the outer race from the Axle Shaft, and pick up any balls that come out with the seal, as well as pick out the remaining balls from the cage and inner race. Deep clean all parts with solvent and dry them in the air. For the installation, wrap a shop towel around the Axle Shaft again, set the wheel drive shaft on a horizontal table in a bench vise, and install a new small seal retaining clamp onto the Axle Shaft. Mount the seal and cage on the Axle Shaft with the inner race spline relief pointing outward from the end of Axle Shaft. Press the inner race splines onto the Axle Shaft using wood block and hammer with the help of wood block and hammer to drive it on until seated fully and then install the snap ring. Line up the cage lands with the inner race ball tracks and insert the cage. Check the outer race and fill with grease. Apply a little grease into the cage windows and inner race ball traces. Mount the outer race while making sure the balls are in the correct location and turn on the outer race retaining ring. Place the seal with the large diameter end into contact with the outer race then the little seal retaining clamp, following the given distance of 2.5mm (0.10 inch) from the edge of the seal to the last Axle Shaft groove. Using the drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 42572), crimp the small clamp of the seal retaining clamp with a gap width between 2 and 3 mm (0.079 and 0.118 inch). Repeat the same process for the large seal retaining clamp also, make possible shape and condition of the seal before crimping it also. Finally, take the wheel drive shaft off the bench vise and apply grease to the inside of the CV Joint and check whether it works smoothly before you install it to the vehicle.