OEM 2002 Cadillac Eldorado CV Joint

2002 Cadillac Eldorado CV Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to replace the inner CV Joint and seal on 2002 Cadillac Eldorado?

  A: Replacing the wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal requires these essential tools: snap ring pliers (J 8059) and drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 35910) and drive axle swage ring clamp (J 41048). You will need three specific tools for this job: snap ring pliers (J 8059), drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 35910), and drive axle swage ring clamp (J 41048). Start by checking for corrosion on the transmission sealing surface of the halfshaft before you clean it with 320 grit cloth if needed. A hand grinder will cut the swage ring without harming the tripot housing. Remove the large boot retaining clamp while disposing of it properly and avoid severing the wheel drive shaft's inboard seal. The inboard boot of the halfshaft requires removal from the trilobal bushing before sliding the boot away to extract the housing containing the spider and bar of the tripot joint. Clean the tripot balls and needle rollers and housing with cleaning solvent while you simultaneously discard the trilobal tripot bushing then remove all old grease and contaminants. Examine both halfshaft inboard boot and the tripot joint spider assembly and housing and needle rollers for possible wear and damage. During installation fit a fresh small boot clamp onto the joint boot before sliding both onto the halfshaft bar while maintaining the correct position within the boot groove. Mount the drive axle swage ring clamp (J 41048) into a vise to clamp the inboard end of the halfshaft assembly before aligning the boot neck using proper torque on the bolts. Secure each bolt of j 41048 with 180-degree rotations when aligning the inboard boot of the halfshaft and swage ring together with the halfshaft bar. Place the spacer ring on the halfshaft bar with snap ring pliers (J 8059) while facing the tripot joint spider assembly in the correct direction. Guide the tripot joint spider assembly onto the halfshaft bar before adding a retaining ring and grease to the halfshaft inboard boot and housing. The installation involves placing the trilobal tripot bushing in the housing before applying the larger boot retaining clamp onto the inboard halfshaft boot. Position the assembly. Shape the halfshaft inboard boot properly before setting the joint assembly into the correct vehicle measurement. The final step requires joint part alignment followed by large retaining clamp crimping onto the specified torque setting with drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 35910).