Removal Procedure

This procedure is to be performed only after the drive shaft has been removed from the vehicle; for the removal procedure refer to Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .

1. Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
2. Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
3. Using J 46588  , remove the large seal retaining clamp from the CV joint seal. See Special Tools and Equipment .
   Fig 1: Removing The Large Seal Retaining Clamp From The CV Joint Seal

   Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
4. Remove the small seal retaining clamp from the joint seal.

   Use a side cutter or other suitable tool and discard the clamp.

5. Separate the seal from the joint outer race at the large diameter end.
6. Position the seal behind the joint face.
7. Position the wheel drive shaft vertically in the bench vise so the inner joint is up.
8. Slide the joint outer race down toward the vise.
9. Disengage the outer race retaining ring.
   1. Insert a small flat-bladed screwdriver between the retaining ring and the outer race.
   2. Remove the retaining ring from the outer race.
   3. Position the retaining ring along the axle shaft away from the outer race.
Fig 2: View Of Outer Race At Axle Shaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
IMPORTANT: The balls may fall out of the cage and inner race when the outer race is removed.
10. Remove the outer race from the axle shaft.
    1. Use the seal to catch any balls which are not retained by grease.
    2. Lift the outer race off the axle shaft.
Fig 3: View Of Balls, Cage & Inner Race
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
11. Remove any remaining balls from the cage and inner race.

    Remove any balls caught by the seal.

12. Position the wheel drive shaft horizontally in the bench vise.
13. Remove the outer race retaining ring from the axle shaft.
    Fig 4: Removing/Installing Axle Shaft Snap Ring

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
14. Remove the snap ring from the axle shaft.
15. Align the cage lands with the inner race ball tracks.
16. Reposition the cage along the axle shaft away from the inner race.
17. Wipe the grease from the inner race.
18. Remove the inner race from the axle shaft using a 3 jaw puller.
    Fig 5: Removing The Inner Race From The Axle Shaft Using A 3 Jaw Puller

    Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Fig 6: Cage To Axle Shaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
19. Remove the cage from the axle shaft.
Fig 7: Removing/Installing Axle Shaft Boot Seal
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
20. Remove the seal from the axle shaft.
21. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the bench vise.
IMPORTANT: All traces of old grease and any contaminates must be removed.
22. Clean the following thoroughly with clean solvent:
    • The inner race
    • The outer race
    • The cage
    • The balls
    • The axle shaft exposed end.
23. Thoroughly air dry all the parts.