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Inner TRIPOT Joint & Seal: Reassembly

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Pontiac Aztek, 2003 Buick Rendezvous, 2002 Pontiac Aztek, 2002 Buick Rendezvous, and 2001 Pontiac Aztek. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Place the NEW small seal clamp onto the small end of the joint seal. See Fig 1 . Slide the joint seal and the small seal clamp onto the axle shaft bar. Position the small end of the joint seal into the joint seal groove on the axle shaft bar.
  2. Using the Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J-42572), crimp the small seal retaining clamp. See Fig 2 . Tighten the clamp to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  .
    3. NOTE: Ensure that the beveled edge of the tripot spider faces the axle shaft bar during reassembly.
  3. Install a NEW barrel retaining ring to the axle shaft bar. Install the tripot spider to the axle shaft bar, while compressing the barrel retaining ring with a flat-bladed tool. Verify positive engagement of the tripot spider to the halfshaft bar by grasping the tripot spider and attempting to pull free from the axle shaft bar.
    4. NOTE: Ensure the trilobal tripot bushing is flush with the face of the housing.
  4. Place approximately half of the grease from the service kit in the axle shaft inboard seal. Use the remainder of the grease to repack the housing. Install the trilobal tripot bushing to the housing. Position the larger NEW seal retaining clamp on the axle shaft inboard seal. Slide the housing over the tripot joint spider assembly on the axle shaft bar.
  5. Slide the large diameter of the axle shaft inboard seal, with the large clamp in place, over the outside of the trilobal tripot bushing and locate the lip of the seal in the groove.
    6. NOTE: The axle shaft inboard seal must not be dimpled, stretched out or out of shape in any way. If the seal is not shaped correctly, carefully insert a thin, flat, blunt tool (no sharp edges) between the large seal opening and the trilobal tripot bushing in order to equalize the pressure. Shape the seal properly by hand. Remove the tool.
  6. Position the joint assembly at the proper vehicle dimension. Align the following items while crimping the retaining clamp:
    • The axle shaft inboard seal.
    • The tripot housing.
    • The large seal retaining clamp.
    Using the clamp pliers, crimp the large seal retaining clamp. See Fig 2 . Tighten the clamp to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS  .
  7. Rotate the inner tripot housing 4 or 5 times in order to distribute the grease throughout the tripot spider bearings.
Fig 1: Placing Seal Clamp Onto Joint Seal
G00298907Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Fig 2: Tightening Drive Axle Inner Tripot Joint Seal (Boot) Clamp
G00056086Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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