OEM 2003 Cadillac CTS CV Joint

2003 Cadillac CTS Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Service and Repair the CV Joint Boot on 2003 Cadillac CTS?

  A: To service and fix the constant velocity joint boot, first, you will need to collect all the necessary tools. Such as. To ensure a compressed fit in between various machine components, the following tools are also commonly used: drive axle swage ring clamp (J41048), snap ring pliers (J8059), and drive axle seal clamp pliers (J35910). Remove the large seal retaining clamp on the CV Joint using a side cutter and discard it but not severing the wheel drive shaft inboard seal so as to avoid damage. Remove the swage ring with a grinder, then detach the outboard halfshaft seal from CV Joint outer race at large diameter and slide the seal off the small diameter at the joint on the halfshaft bar. Clean the CV Joint inner race, and spread the ears on the race retaining ring with the snap ring pliers before removing the CV Joint assembly from the halfshaft bar. Throw away the old outboard seal and tap a brass drift lightly on the CV Joint cage to tilt it for the ball removal and continue doing this until six chrome alloy balls are removed. Clean the inside and outer race assemblies, the CV Joint cage and the chrome alloy balls in cleaning solvent then dry all of them and examine it for unanticipated wear, cracks, or injuries, replacing any damaged parts. Use a wire brush to clean the halfshaft bar to rub off rust from the seal mounting point. For assemblage, apply the new swage ring at the neck of the outboard seal, do not swage, and slide the outboard seal onto the halfshaft bar and insert it into the seal groove. Swage the ring using the drive axle swage ring clamp by ensuring the bolts tighten properly and are as tight as possible without any deformities. Trace a small amount of grease on the grooves of the inner and outer races, then put the inner race in the cage, ensuring that it lines up with the outer race. Insert the chrome balls, packing the CV Joint with grease and squeezing it into the halfshaft bar until the retaining ring will settle. Make sure that the outboard seal is properly shaped and slide the outboard larger diameter of seal with the large seal retaining clamp installed over the CV Joint outer race and crimp the clamp using the drive axle seal clamp plier's to torque specification, recheck the gap distance on the clamp funding for proper installation.