Boots, Seals & Clamps

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Buick Regal and 2002 Buick Century. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint and the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint boots (seals) in the front wheel drive axle are made of a thermoplastic material. The clamps in front wheel drive axle are made of stainless steel. The boot (seal) provides the following functions:

Protection of the internal parts of the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint and the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint. The boot (seal) protects the grease from the following sources of damage: Harmful atmospheric conditions (such as extreme temperatures or ozone gas) Foreign material (such as dirt or water).
Allows angular movement and the axial movement of the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint.
Allows angular movement of the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint.

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

The clamps provide a leak proof connection for the front wheel drive shaft tripot joint and the front wheel drive shaft constant velocity joint at the housing and the front wheel drive shaft. The thermoplastic material performs well under normal conditions and normal operation. However, the material is not strong enough to withstand abusive handling and damage from sharp objects (such as sharp tools or any sharp edges of the surrounding components in the vehicle).