OEM 2002 Buick Rendezvous CV Joint

2002 Buick Rendezvous CV Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to replace the inner CV Joint and seal on 2002 Buick Rendezvous?

  A: You should start with these essential tools to replace the wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal: Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) make up the necessary tool set. Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572). First, Evacuate the small seal clamp from the wheel drive shaft bar by using side cutters while discarding it completely yet making certain to avoid damaging the wheel drive shaft trilobal tripot bushing. You should use side cutters to remove the large seal clamp from the tripot joint until you discard it completely. Take the wheel drive shaft inboard seal off its trilobal tripot bushing then slide the seal away from the joint by moving it along the wheel drive shaft bar. Extract the housing from the tripot joint spider and the wheel drive shaft bar before untangling the guide from the spring and pulling out the spring from the tripot housing. Recording the position of the tripot spider on the wheel drive shaft bar guarantees proper 60-degree offset between the inside and outside tripot spiders. Start by using a brass drift and hammer to gently tap the tripot spider throughout its face. This compression action tightens the barrel retaining ring around the wheel drive shaft bar. Afterward, remove the tripot spider while discarding the barrel retaining ring. Check for damage or wear on both the wheel drive shaft inboard seal along with the tripot junction spider assembly, housing and trilobal tripot bushing. Fit the new small seal clamp into the joint seal's small end before sliding it over the wheel drive shaft bar until the small end rests in the joint seal groove. Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) should be used for crimping the small seal retaining clamp to 136 Nm (100 ft. lbs.) torque. Insert the new barrel retaining ring to the wheel drive shaft bar while maintaining its proper 60-degree offset against the shaft bar. The beveled edge of the tripot spider must point toward the wheel drive shaft bar as you position both components for reinstallation. The wheel drive shaft bar receives the tripot spider while a flat-bladed tool keeps the barrel retaining ring compressed and checks for proper engagement that prevents the tripot spider from pulling free. First place 0.12 inch of grease from the service kit inside the wheel drive shaft inboard seal before filling the remaining housing with grease. After placing oil from the housing onto the spring you must install it into the tripot housing followed by putting the guide over the spring. Fit the housing with the trilobal tripot bushing before positioning the larger new seal retaining clamp onto the wheel drive shaft inboard seal. Slide the housing over the tripot joint spider assembly that sits on the wheel drive shaft bar. Insert the wheel drive shaft inboard seal across the trilobal tripot bushing with the larger clamp installed until its lip sits in the appropriate groove. Verify that the seal remains undented, unstretched, and undeformed. Check the seal's shape while making adjustments before correctly positioning the joint assembly according to vehicle specifications. Use the wheel drive shaft inboard seal , tripot housing and large seal retaining clamp to align them before latching occurs. Fitting the Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) allows capture of the large seal retaining clamp through its complete engagement with the large seal clamp band. To distribute the grease properly through tripot spider bearings you should rotate the inner tripot housing 4 or 5 times.