Axle Shaft Inner Joint & Boot: Disassembly
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 2003 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003 GMC Envoy XL, 2003 GMC Envoy, 2003 Chevrolet TrailBlazer, and 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Remove the clamp from the boot with a pair of side cutters.NOTE: Do not damage the tripot housing.
- Use a hand grinder to cut through the swage ring.
- Remove the tripot housing and the trilobal tripot bushing from the axle shaft bar. See Fig 1 .
- Thoroughly degrease the housing and the spider assembly.
- Discard the tripot bushing.
- Use 320 grit 3M cloth, or equivalent, to remove any evident corrosion in the transmission sealing surface.
- Allow the housing and the spider assembly to dry.
- Compress the tripot boot onto the axle shaft bar, away from the spider assembly. See Fig 2 .
- Spread the spacer rings using snap ring pliers or equivalent, to remove the spider assembly. See Fig 3 .
- Remove the spacer ring, the spider assembly, the second spacer ring, and the tripot boot. See Fig 4 .
- Discard the tripot boot and spacer rings.
- Clean the axle shaft bar. Use a wire brush to remove any rust in the boot mounting area grooves.
- Inspect the needle rollers, the needle bearings and the trunnion.
- Inspect the tripot housing for unusual wear, cracks, or other damage.
- Use the appropriate kit to replace any damaged parts.
CAUTION:
Handle the tripot spider assembly with care. Tripot balls and needle rollers may separate from the spider trunnion if the tripot balls and needle rollers are not handled carefully.