To remove the inner CV boot, start by removing the CV axle from the vehicle and mounting it in a vise with jaws lined to prevent damage. Remove the boot clamps and pull the boot back from the inner CV joint to slide off the joint housing. Mark the relationship of the tripod to the outer race. If it's a rear CV joint, note the orientation of the spring and guide and remove them from the housing. Use a center punch to mark the relationship between the tripod and the axleshaft to ensure proper installation. Remove the stop-ring and retainer clip from the end of the axleshaft and, if necessary, use a hammer and brass punch to drive the tripod joint from the CV axle. Slide the boot off the axleshaft for inspection. Clean the old grease from the outer race and tripod bearing assembly and disassemble each section of the tripod assembly one at a time to clean the needle bearings with solvent. Inspect the rollers, tripod, bearings, and outer race for abnormal wear, scoring, or pitting, which may indicate replacement is needed. For installation, slide the clamps and boot onto the axleshaft, wrap the axleshaft splines with tape, and install the stop-ring on the shaft. Place the tripod on the shaft, aligning match marks, and install a new retainer clip. Apply CV joint grease to the tripod assembly, the inside of the joint housing, and inside the boot. For rear CV axles, install the spring and guide into the housing, and for all models, slide the housing over the tripod. Slide the boot into place, position the CV joint mid-way through its travel, equalize boot pressure, and tighten the boot clamps. Finally, install the CV axle assembly.For the outer CV boot removal, remove the boot clamps and use a soft-face hammer to strike the edge of the CV joint housing, dislodging the outer CV joint from the CV axle. Slide the outer CV boot off the axleshaft, place marks on the inner race and cage for reassembly orientation. Press down on the inner race to allow a ball bearing to be removed, then pry the balls out of the cage one at a time. With the balls removed, tilt the cage/inner race assembly 90 degrees, align the cage windows with the outer race lands, and remove the assembly from the outer race. Remove the inner race from the cage by turning it 90 degrees in the cage, aligning the inner lands with the cage windows, and rotating it out of the cage. For inspection, clean the components with solvent and check for wear and damage, such as pitting, score marks, and cracks. Shiny, polished spots are normal and don't affect CV joint operation. During installation, reverse the removal technique to install the inner race in the cage and then the inner race and cage assembly in the outer race. The marks previously applied to the inner race and cage should both be visible after assembly. Press the balls into the cage windows, slide a new sealing boot clamp and sealing boot onto the axleshaft, and place a new bearing retainer clip onto the axleshaft. Apply half the provided grease to the outer CV joint assembly housing and the remaining grease into the sealing boot. Align the splines on the axleshaft with the outer CV joint assembly and gently drive the CV joint onto the axleshaft with a soft-faced hammer until it's seated. Position the CV joint mid-way through its travel, equalize the pressure in the boot, and tighten the boot clamps. Finally, install the driveaxle.
Posted by GMPartsGiant Specialist