Axle Shafts: Disassembly
- Clamp axle shaft in soft-jawed vise. Remove deflector ring (if damaged), from outer race using a brass drift. See Figure
. Remove large and small boot clamps from CV joint. Slide boot down axle shaft and separate boot from outer race.
- Wipe excess grease from face of inner race. Using Snap Ring Pliers (SA9198C
), spread ears on race retaining ring. Remove CV joint assembly from axle shaft. Remove boot from axle shaft. If axle shaft dynamic damper is being replaced (if equipped), press damper off axle shaft.
- Using a brass drift, gently tap cage until tilted enough to remove first ball. See Fig 1
. Remove remaining balls in similar manner. With balls removed, pivot cage and inner race at 90 degrees to center line of outer race with cage windows aligned with lands of outer race. Lift out cage and inner race. Rotate inner race up and out of cage. Thoroughly degrease all CV joint components and allow to dry.
- Remove large and small boot clamps from tripot joint. Remove retaining ring. Slide boot down axle shaft and separate boot from tripot joint housing. See Figure
. Wipe excess grease from tripot joint and interior of tripot joint housing. Remove tripot joint housing from axle shaft.
- Using snap ring pliers, spread spacer ring. Slide spacer ring and tripot joint down axle shaft. Remove shaft retaining ring from groove on axle shaft. Remove tripot joint from axle shaft. Remove boot from axle shaft. Thoroughly degrease tripot joint housing and allow to dry.
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.