Axle Shaft Inner Joint & Seal: Disassembly
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Vibe. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
NOTE:
Required Tools: Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J-35566) and Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J-42572).
- Remove the small seal clamp from the axle shaft bar using side cutters and discard the clamp. Remove the large seal clamp from the tripod joint with side cutters and discard the clamp. Separate the axle shaft outboard seal from the tripod bushing.
- Slide the seal away from the joint along the axle shaft. Remove the housing from the tripod joint spider and the axle shaft.NOTE: The correct 60 degree offset relationship between the inner and outer tripod spiders must be maintained. Accurately reference mark the tripod spider position on the axle shaft bar before disassembly.
- Reference mark the position of the tripod spider on the axle shaft. See Fig 1 . Remove the snap ring.
- Using a brass drift and a hammer, remove the tripod spider from the axle shaft. Remove the inboard joint boot from the drive shaft. On the right hand drive shaft, remove the dynamic damper. Remove the joint seal from the axle shaft.
- Using a press, remove the bearing from the shaft. Inspect the axle shaft outboard seal, the tripod joint spider assembly, the housing, the tripod bushing and the bearing for damage or wear.