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Home >> Chevrolet >> 2001 >> Venture Base, Van Passenger >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 848 (Wheel Drive Shafts) >> Repair Instructions >> Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Seal Replacement >> Installation Procedure

Installation Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Chevrolet Corvette. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE: Wheel drive shaft boots, seals and clamps should be protected from sharp objects any time service is performed on or near the wheel drive shaft(s). Damage to the boot(s), the seal(s) or the clamp(s) may cause lubricant to leak from the joint and lead to increased noise and possible failure of the wheel drive shaft.
    Fig 1: Positioning Cage So Larger Radius Corners Of Cage Windows Are Up
    GM174613Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  1. Position the cage so the larger radius corners of the cage windows are up.
  2. Position the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the cage.
  3. Begin to insert the inner race up through the bottom of the cage.
  4. Align a land of the inner race to a window of the cage.
  5. Insert the inner race land into the cage window.
  6. Rotate the remainder of the inner race into the cage.
  7. Rotate the inner race within the cage so that the grooved surface of the inner race is facing up.
  8. Align the inner race ball tracks with the cage windows.
  9. Wrap a shop towel around the joint outer race splined shaft.
  10. Place the outer race vertically in a bench vise.
  11. Position the cage and inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race.
    Fig 2: Positioning Cage & Inner Race 90 Degrees To Centerline Of Outer Race
    GM174610Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  12. Align two cage windows at 0 and 180 degrees.

    Rotate the inner race and cage assembly in the vertical plane.

  13. Align the two windows at 0 and 180 degrees with two of the outer race lands.
  14. Insert the cage and inner race into the outer race.
    15. IMPORTANT: The larger radius corners of the cage windows should be positioned up and the grooved surface of the inner race should be visible.
  15. Position the cage and inner race so they are level.
  16. Align the cage windows and inner race ball tracks with the outer race ball tracks.

    Rotate the appropriate component(s).

    Fig 3: Removing/Install Ball From Cage & Inner Race
    GM174607Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  17. Position a cage window and inner race ball track for ball installation.
    1. Press down on the cage following one of the outer race ball tracks. The opposing cage window and inner race ball track will be accessible for ball installation.
    2. After you install the first ball, you will need to use a brass drift and a hammer to tap gently on the cage, in order to drive the cage and inner race down completely.
    18. IMPORTANT: No gap should exist between the ball and the inner race ball track.
  18. Insert a ball through the cage window onto the inner race ball track.

    Tap the ball lightly with a plastic tipped hammer.

  19. Position the cage and inner race so they are level.
    20. Fig 4: View Of Ball Removal/Installation Sequence
    GM174670Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: The ball installation sequence must be followed as shown.
  20. Repeat steps 17 through 19 in the installation sequence as shown until you install all six balls.
    21. Fig 5: Grease To Bottom Of Outer Race
    GM174615Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  21. Insert approximately 60 percent of the grease from the service kit into the outer joint.
    1. Spread the grease onto the ball tracks, the balls, the cage and the inner race.
    2. Spread the remainder of the grease into the bottom of the outer race.
  22. Remove the outer joint from the bench vise.
    23. Fig 6: Removing/Installing Axle Shaft Boot Seal
    GM174617Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  23. Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
  24. Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
  25. Install a new small seal retaining clamp onto the axle shaft.
  26. Install the seal onto the axle shaft.
    27. Fig 7: View Of Axle Shaft Retaining Ring
    GM174601Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  27. Install the axle shaft retaining ring to the axle shaft.
  28. Position the outer joint horizontally.
  29. Engage the inner race splines onto the axle shaft splines.
  30. Compress the axle shaft retaining ring.
    1. Press one end of the retaining ring, using a flat bladed screwdriver or equivalent tool, into the axle shaft groove while firmly pressing the outer joint onto the axle shaft.
    2. Continue to work around the retaining ring until it is compressed.
    Fig 8: Compressing The Axle Shaft Retaining Ring
    GM174620Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    31. IMPORTANT: The axle shaft and inner race must be fully seated to each other.
    Fig 9: Installing The Outer Joint To The Axle Shaft
    GM174623Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  31. Install the outer joint to the axle shaft.
    1. Position a wood block squarely over the end of the outer joint threaded shaft.
    2. Use a hammer to drive the outer joint onto the shaft.
    3. Continue to drive the outer joint until you feel the outer joint seat fully onto the axle shaft.
    4. Inspect to be sure that the axle shaft and the inner race stepped surfaces are fully seated to each other.
    32. Fig 10: Inserting Remaining Grease From Service Kit Into Seal
    GM174625Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  32. Insert the remaining grease from the service kit into the seal.
    33. Fig 11: Positioning Small Seal Retaining Clamp To Neck Of Seal
    GM174629Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  33. Position the small seal retaining clamp (3) onto the neck of the seal (4).
  34. Position the seal and small retaining clamp to the axle shaft (2) as shown.
  35. Measure the distance (1) between the edge of the seal and the edge of the last axle shaft groove closing edge; adjust fit accordingly.

    Specification:  2.5 mm (0.10 in)

    36. Fig 12: Using J 42572 To Crimp Seal Retaining Clamp
    GM174632Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    IMPORTANT: The seal retaining clamp must not be over-tightened or under-tightened.
  36. Crimp the small seal retaining clamp using the J 42572  . See Special Tools and Equipment .

    Tighten:  Tighten the small seal retaining clamp until the base of the omega (Ω) shape has a gap width (1) between 2 and 3 mm (0.079 and 0.118 in), with a difference in the gap width from side to side no greater than 0.4 mm (0.016 in). The clamping hold time must be no less than 2 seconds.

    37. Fig 13: Positioning The Seal And Large Retaining Clamp To The Joint Outer Race
    GM174635Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  37. Position the large seal retaining clamp (2) onto the seal (3).
  38. Position the seal and large retaining clamp to the joint outer race (4) as shown.
    Fig 14: Using J 42572 To Crimp Seal Retaining Clamp
    GM174632Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  39. Measure the distance (1) between the edge of the seal and the edge of the joint outer race last groove closing edge; adjust fit accordingly.

    Specification:  0.8 mm (0.03 in)

    40. IMPORTANT: The seal must not be dimpled, stretched or out of shape in any way.
  40. Inspect the seal for proper shape.

    If the seal is NOT shaped correctly, equalize the pressure in the seal and shape the seal properly by hand.

  41. Inspect the seal for damage.

    If the seal has been cut or punctured during assembly, you must discard and replace the seal.

  42. Align the following items while latching:
    • The wheel drive shaft inboard seal (2)
    • The tripot housing
    • The large seal retaining clamp (3)
  43. Using the J 46588  , latch the large seal retaining clamp. See Special Tools and Equipment . Ensure that the latching tangs are fully engaged in the large seal clamp band.
    Fig 15: Latching The Large Seal Retaining Clamp
    GM1034498Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
  44. Rotate the inner tripot housing four or five times in order to distribute the grease throughout the tripot spider bearings.
  45. Inspect the outer CV joint and wheel drive shaft for smooth operation. This will also distribute the grease within the joint.
    1. Hold the wheel drive shaft vertically, with the outer joint at the bottom.
    2. Rotate the wheel drive shaft four or five times in a circular motion.

To install the wheel drive shaft into the vehicle, refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .

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