OEM 2007 Chevrolet Equinox CV Joint

2007 Chevrolet Equinox Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Replace the Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Outer CV Joint and Seal on 2007 Chevrolet Equinox?

  A: The repair of the rear wheel drive shaft outer joint and seal starts with clamping the drive Axle Shaft inside a soft jawed vice. A flat-bladed tool will help release tabs from the big seal clamp while allowing you to discard this clamp part before you cut open and discard the smaller clamp using side cutters. Remove the boot from the CV unit race at the big end before sliding it down along the drive shaft wheel bar. After wiping the CV inner race clean of grease, apply a wooden block to the CV Joint outer race as you gently tap it free from the wheel drive shaft bar. Extract the retaining ring alongside the seal from the wheel drive shaft bar. Hold a brass drift at the CV Joint inner race before tapping gently with a hammer to tilt the race and slowly remove both bearing rollers from within one another when rotating the inner race in an opposing direction. Lift out the cage plus inner race after carefully aligning the cage windows to match the outer race land positions during a 90-degree pivot of the CV Joint cage and inner race around the outer race centerline. First, rotate the cage and inner race assembly upward to remove the inner race, then completely clean all components - including the inner and outer race assemblies, CV Joint cage, and bearing rollers - with a suitable solvent followed by compressed air drying. Check the CV Joint assembly for signs of unusual wear or cracks and damage, then replace all affected parts while using a wire brush to clean rust from the seal mounting grooves on the wheel drive shaft bar. Install the new small seal clamp on the outboard seal neck before sliding the seal onto the wheel drive shaft bar and placing the seal into its mounting area. Installation requires using the J 35910 drive axle seal clamp pliers (J 35910) to measure the clamp end gap while properly positioning the seal clamp around the entire seal circumference before crimping. The end gap reading should not exceed 2.15 mm (0.85 in). Place the inner race oriented at 90 degrees to the cage's centerline and with the lands of the inner race lined up with the cage's windows before you put the inner race into the cage. First, position the cage alongside the inner race at a 90-degree angle to the outer race centerline, then insert both components together. Next, insert the initial bearing roller while manipulating the cage to fit its opposite roller and repeat this six times. Put the CV Joint retaining ring on the wheel drive shaft bar before packing the CV Joint with grease from the service kit and using pliers to tap the CV Joint inner race until it sits inside the retaining ring. Place the big end of the seal onto the CV race and position its lip into the housing groove before putting on the large seal retaining clamp. Tighten this clamp by using the J 35910. Check the clamp ear measurement before tightening to achieve 1.9 mm (5/64 in), then remove the shaft from the vise before applying grease to the outer CV Joint with four to five circular rotations.