GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Disassembly Procedure

Tools Required

    • J 35910 Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers
    • J 41048 Drive Axle Swage Ring Clamps
    • J 8059 Snap Ring Pliers

    Object Number: 233590  Size: SH

    Notice: With the removal of the wheel drive shaft for any reason, the transmission sealing surface (the tripot male/female shank of the joint) should be inspected for corrosion. If corrosion is evident, the surface should be cleaned with 320 grit cloth or equivalent in a rotational motion only. Do not clean with an oscillating motion. Transmission fluid may be used to clean off any remaining debris and the joint wiped dry before installation. Corrosion on the joint sealing surface may damage the transmission seals and cause a fluid leak.

  1. Use a hand grinder in order to cut through the swage ring. Do not damage the tripot housing (1).
  2. Remove the large seal retaining clamp from the tripot joint with side cutter.
  3. Dispose of the large seal retaining clamp.
  4. Notice: Do not cut through the wheel drive shaft inboard or outboard boot during service. Cutting through the boot may damage the sealing surface of the housing and the tripot or the constant velocity joint bushing. Damage to the sealing surface may lead to water and dirt intrusion and premature wear of the constant velocity joint.

    Notice: Do not cut through the wheel drive shaft inboard or outboard boot during service. Cutting through the boot may damage the sealing surface of the housing and the tripot or the constant velocity joint bushing. Damage to the sealing surface may lead to water and dirt intrusion and premature wear of the constant velocity joint.

  5. Separate the halfshaft inboard seal from the trilobal tripot bushing (3) at the large diameter.
  6. Slide the seal (4) away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.
  7. Remove the housing (1) from the tripot joint spider (2) and the halfshaft bar.
  8. Remove the trilobal tripot bushing (3) from the housing (1).

  9. Object Number: 221915  Size: SH
  10. Spread spacer ring (2) with J 8059 .
  11. Slide the spacer ring and tripot joint spider back on halfshaft bar (1).

  12. Object Number: 233581  Size: SH
  13. Remove the halfshaft bar retaining ring from the groove (5) on the halfshaft bar.
  14. Slide tripot joint spider assembly (2) off of the halfshaft bar.
  15. Clean the following items with cleaning solvent:
  16. • The tripot balls
    • The needle rollers
    • The housing
  17. Remove all traces of old grease and any contaminates. Dry all parts.

  18. Object Number: 233590  Size: SH
  19. Inspect the following parts for damage or wear:
  20. • The halfshaft inboard seal (4)
    • The tripot joint spider assembly (2)
    • The housing (1)
    • The trilobal tripot bushing (3)
    • The needle rollers

Assembly Procedure


    Object Number: 214024  Size: SH
  1. Place the new small seal clamp (2) onto the small end of the joint seal (1). Slide the joint seal (1) and the small seal clamp (2) onto the halfshaft bar.
  2. Position the small end of the joint seal (1) into the joint seal groove (3) on the halfshaft bar.

  3. Object Number: 221917  Size: SH
  4. Mount J 41048 in a vise and proceed as follows:
  5. 3.1. Position the outboard end (1) of the halfshaft assembly in tool J 41048 .
    3.2. Align the top of seal neck on the bottom die using the indicator.
    3.3. Place the top half of the J 41048 on the lower half of the J 41048 .
    3.4. Before proceeding, ensure there are no pinch points on the halfshaft inboard seal. This could cause damage to the halfshaft inboard seal.
    3.5. Insert the bolts (2).
    3.6. Tighten the bolts by hand until snug.

    Object Number: 221918  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  6. Align the following items:
  7. • The halfshaft inboard seal (1)
    • The housing
    • The swage ring (2)

    Tighten
    Tighten each bolt of J 41048 180 degrees at a time using a ratchet wrench. Alternate between each bolt until both sides are bottomed.


    Object Number: 233593  Size: SH
  8. Install the spacer ring (2) on the halfshaft bar (1) in groove using J 8059 .

  9. Object Number: 256137  Size: SH

    Important: Ensure that the counterbored face of the tripot joint spider (2) faces toward the end of the halfshaft bar (4).

  10. Slide the tripot joint spider assembly (2) toward the spacer ring (1) as far as it will go on the halfshaft bar (4).
  11. Install the halfshaft bar retaining ring in the groove of the halfshaft bar.

  12. Object Number: 233615  Size: SH

    Important: Ensure the trilobal tripot bushing (3) is flush with the face of the housing (1).

  13. Place approximately half of the grease from the service kit in the halfshaft inboard seal. Use the remainder of the grease to repack the housing.
  14. Install the trilobal tripot bushing (3) to housing.
  15. Position the larger new seal retaining clamp (2) on the halfshaft inboard seal.
  16. Slide the housing (1) over the tripot joint spider assembly on the halfshaft bar.

  17. Object Number: 221916  Size: SH
  18. Slide the large diameter of the halfshaft inboard seal (2), with the larger clamp (3) in place, over the outside of the trilobal tripot bushing and locate the lip of the seal in the groove.
  19. Important: The halfshaft inboard seal must not be dimpled, stretched out or out of shape in any way. If the halfshaft inboard seal is not shaped correctly, carefully insert a thin flat blunt tool (no sharp edges) between the large seal opening and the trilobal tripot bushing in order to equalize the pressure. Shape the halfshaft inboard seal properly by hand. Remove the tool.

  20. Position the joint assembly at the proper vehicle dimension. Dimension "a" = 108 mm (4.25 in)

  21. Object Number: 221910  Size: SH
  22. Align the following items while latching:
  23. • The halfshaft inboard seal
    • The tripot housing (2)
    • The large seal retaining clamp (3)

    Tighten
    Crimp the seal retaining clamp (2) with J 35910 to 176 N·m (130 lb ft). Add the breaker bar (5) and the torque wrench (4) to J 35910 if necessary. Tighten until dimension "a" = 2.60 mm (0.102  in)