Front Seals & Clamps

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Montana, 2003 Oldsmobile Silhouette, and 2003 Chevrolet Venture. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The front axle shaft constant velocity joint and the front axle shaft tripot joint seals in the front axle shaft are made of a thermoplastic material. The clamps on front axle shaft seals are made of stainless steel. The seals provide the following functions:

Protection of the internal parts of the front axle shaft constant velocity joint and the front axle shaft tripot joint. The seals protect the grease from harmful atmospheric conditions (such as extreme temperatures or ozone gas) or foreign material (such as dirt or water).
Allows angular and axial movement of the front axle shaft tripot joint.
Allows angular movement of the front axle shaft constant velocity joint.

CAUTION: Protect the seals from sharp tools and from the sharp edges of the surrounding components. Any damage to the seals or the clamps will result in leakage. Leakage will allow water to leak into the front axle shaft tripot joint and the front axle shaft constant velocity joint. Damage will also allow grease to leak out of the front axle shaft tripot joints and the front axle shaft constant velocity joints. Leakage may cause noisy front axle shaft operation and eventual failure of the internal components.

The clamps provide a leak proof connection for the front axle shaft tripot joint and the front axle shaft constant velocity joint at the housing and the front axle shaft bar.

The thermoplastic material performs well under normal conditions and normal operation. However, the material is not strong enough to withstand abusive handling or damage from sharp objects, such as tools or sharp edges of the surrounding vehicle components.