OEM 2007 Cadillac STS CV Boot

2007 Cadillac STS Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: What Tools Are Needed to Service the CV Boot and CV Joint for the Front Wheel Drive Shaft Inner Joint and Seal Replacement (Right) on 2007 Cadillac STS?

  A: A set of Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059), Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) forms the essential toolset for Front Wheel Drive Shaft Inner Joint and Seal Replacement (Right). The three necessary tools for this job include Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059), Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566), and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572). Start by separating the wheel drive shaft from your vehicle and winding a shop towel around the wheel drive shaft bar until you place it horizontally in a bench vise. The small seal clamp on the wheel drive shaft bar requires removal using side cutters before discarding it. Use Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) to separate the large seal retaining clamp and discard the tool afterward. The process involves moving the wheel drive shaft inboard seal off its trilobal tripot bushing by sliding the seal along the wheel drive shaft bar. Remove the housing from both the tripot joint spider and wheel drive shaft bar but record the spider's precise position on the bar before you begin. Use Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059) to remove the retaining ring before tapping the tripot spider face with a brass drift and hammer to take it off the wheel drive shaft bar. Discard the retaining ring during this process. Continued repair analysis must focus on the wheel drive shaft inboard seal together with the tripot joint spider assembly, housing compared to the trilobal tripot bushing for any signs of damage or wear. Start assembly by installing the new small seal clamp onto the joint seal's small section and inserting the joint seal combination into the wheel drive shaft bar boot groove. Position the small end of the joint seal into the wheel drive shaft bar joint seal groove. Crimping operation of the small seal retaining clamp requires Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 42572) to achieve proper clamp tightness levels. For tripot spider reuse position its reference marker facing the wheel drive shaft bar while the beveled edge points toward the bar for reinstallation. Use Snap Ring Pliers (J 8059) to install the tripot spider together with a new retaining ring while confirming that proper engagement occurs. The wheel drive shaft inboard seal requires grease from the service kit which must also fill the housing chamber before installation. Install the trilobal tripot bushing to the housing then position the larger new seal retaining clamp on the wheel drive shaft inboard seal while sliding the housing over the tripot joint spider assembly. Check that the seal maintains its shape then verify a 104.7 mm (4.12 in) distance between seal edges. Use Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J 35566) to securely fasten the large seal retaining clamp across the wheel drive shaft inboard seal and tripot housing. Align their components before engagement to maximize clamp tang insertion. Interchange the inner tripot housing four to five times to spread grease throughout all tripot spider bearings.