OEM 2004 Chevrolet Venture CV Joint

2004 Chevrolet Venture CV Joint Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to replace the rear wheel drive shaft inner CV Joint and seal on 2004 Chevrolet Venture?

  A: Begin your rear wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal replacement using these essential tools: Both Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) will be needed in this process. Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572). Start by uninstalling the small seal clamp from the wheel drive shaft bar through the use of side cutters then discard it while avoiding damage to the wheel drive shaft tri-lobal tripot bushing. Start by cutting and discarding the large seal clamp from the tripot joint using side cutters. The wheel drive shaft inboard seal needs to come apart from the tri-lobal tripot bushing to slide away from the joint along the wheel drive shaft bar. Begin disassembly by removing the housing from the tripot joint spider and wheel drive shaft bar after which the guide must be removed from the spring and spring removed from the tripot housing. Before joint disassembly mark both tripot spiders on the wheel drive shaft bar to ensure their proper 60-degree offset positioning stays correct. A brass drift along with a hammer should be used to tap the tripot spider face until the barrel retaining ring squeezes against the wheel drive shaft bar before removing the tripot spider and discarding the barrel retaining ring. Please examine all sections of the wheel drive shaft inboard seal along with the tripot joint spider assembly and housing and the tri-lobal tripot bushing for any signs of damage or wear. Insert the new small seal clamp onto the joint seal's small end and slide both components onto the wheel drive shaft bar until the small end fits in the ENS joint seal groove. Attach the Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) and crimp the small seal retaining clamp at 136 Nm torque (100 ft. lbs.). Keep the 60-degree offset relation intact when installing a new barrel retaining ring onto the wheel drive shaft bar. When reassembling position the reference mark on the tripot spider directly against the wheel drive shaft bar and direct its beveled edge towards the wheel drive shaft bar. During installation of the tripot spider use a flat-bladed tool to compress the barrel retaining ring before verifying positive wheel drive shaft bar engagement by attempting to remove the tripot spider. Place approximately 1/3 of the service kit's grease inside the wheel drive shaft inboard seal before putting the rest into the housing for repacking purposes. Ensure the tri-lobal tripot bushing sits against the housing's face as installation proceeds. The spring installation to the tripot housing requires housing grease which then properly seals the guide against the spring. The new tri-lobal tripot bushing receives installation into the housing and then the larger new seal retaining clamp goes onto the wheel drive shaft inboard seal before sliding the housing across the wheel drive shaft bar with its attached tripot joint spider assembly. Move the large diameter end of the wheel drive shaft inboard seal toward the interior through the bigger clamp which sits over the tri-lobal tripot bushing. Position the seal so its lip rests in the appropriate groove while maintaining the seal's shape and avoid stretching or deformation. Check that the seal has the correct shape before adjusting it if needed. After proper vehicle dimension installation the joint assembly should align the wheel drive shaft inboard seal, tripot housing and large seal retaining clamp during sealing. Leverage the Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) to lock the big seal retaining clamp when the latching tangs fully engage within the large seal clamp band. The inner tripot housing must be rotated four or five times to spread grease evenly through the tripot spider bearings.