Inner Joint & Seal (For 2003 Vehicles): Disassembly
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.
NOTE:
Required Tools: Drive Axle Swage Ring Clamp (J-41048), Snap Ring Pliers (J-8059) and Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J-35910).
- Disconnect the swage ring from the axle shaft bar using a hand grinder to cut through the ring taking care not to damage the axle shaft bar. Remove the large seal retaining clamp from the tripot joint with side cutters. Discard the large seal retaining clamp. See Figure and Fig 1 .
- Separate the inboard seal from the trilobal tripot bushing at the large diameter. Slide the seal away from the joint along the axle shaft bar.
- Remove the housing from the tripot joint spider and the axle shaft bar. See Figure . Spread spacer ring using snap ring pliers.
- Slide the spacer ring and the tripot joint spider back on the axle shaft bar. Remove the axle shaft bar retaining ring from the groove on the axle shaft bar. Slide tripot joint spider assembly off of the axle shaft bar.
- Clean the tripot joint spider assembly and the housing thoroughly with cleaning solvent. Remove all traces of old grease and any contaminates. Dry all the parts. Remove the trilobal tripot bushing from the housing. Remove spacer ring and seal from axle shaft bar. Discard old seal and ring.
- Inspect tripot joint spider assembly, housing and axle shaft bar for damage or wear.