Removal Procedure

Remove the left or right wheel drive shaft, refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side , Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side (without Intermediate Shaft) and Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side (with Intermediate Shaft)
If equipped with a small swage ring, use a hand grinder to cut through the swage ring, taking care not to damage the halfshaft bar, in order to remove the swage ring. Otherwise, remove the small seal retaining clamp with a side cutter. Discard the retaining clamp.

Fig 1: Locating Wheel Drive Shaft Inner Joint Components
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

CAUTION: Do not cut through the wheel drive shaft inboard or outboard boot during service. Cutting through the boot may damage the sealing surface of the housing and the tripot or the constant velocity joint bushing. Damage to the sealing surface may lead to water and dirt intrusion and premature wear of the constant velocity joint.
Remove the large seal retaining clamp (2) from the tripot joint with side cutters. Discard the large seal retaining clamp.
Separate the inboard seal from the trilobal tripot bushing (3) at the large diameter.
Slide the seal away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.
Remove the housing (1) from the tripot joint spider and the halfshaft bar (2).

Fig 2: View Of Housing, Tripot Joint Spider & Halfshaft Bar
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
Remove the spacer ring (1), spider assembly (2), spacer ring (3) (if equipped) using GE-396 pliers and tripot boot (4). DISCARD the boot and rings.

Fig 3: View Of Spider Assembly, Rings & Tripot Boot
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY
Clean the halfshaft bar (5). Use a wire brush in order to remove any rust in the boot mounting area (grooves).
Inspect the needle rollers, needle bearings and trunnion. Check the tripot housing for unusual wear, cracks or other damage. Replace any damaged parts with the appropriate kit.