Disassembly Procedure

This procedure is to be performed only after the wheel drive shaft has been removed from the vehicle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side  or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side .

Fig 1: Removing Outer Joint From Axle
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
1. Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
2. Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
IMPORTANT: DO NOT reuse the retaining clamps. Replace with new.
3. Using a side cutter or other suitable tool, remove the retaining clamps from the outer boot. Discard retaining.
4. Remove the boot from the CV joint housing.
5. Remove the grease from the CV joint inner race, cage, and balls.
6. Remove the outer CV joint from the axle shaft using the following steps:
   1. Hold the outer joint housing horizontally to the shaft.
   2. Position a wood block between the seal and the joint, on the joint face.
   3. Using a block of wood and hammer, remove the CV joint from the wheel drive shaft. If the CV joint does not move, use a brass drift and a hammer to remove the CV joint from the wheel drive shaft.
Fig 2: View Of Axle Shaft Retaining Ring
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Remove and discard the axle shaft retaining ring from the axle shaft.
Fig 3: Removing/Installing Axle Shaft Boot Seal
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Remove the boot from the axle shaft.
9. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vise.
Fig 4: Removing Ball With Brass Drift
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
10. Wrap a shop towel around the joint outer race splined shaft.
11. Place the outer race vertically in a bench vise.
12. Using a brass drift and hammer, gently tap on the wheel drive shaft joints inner cage, until it is tilted enough to remove the first ball.
Fig 5: Removing/Install Ball From Cage & Inner Race
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
13. Remove the exposed ball. It maybe necessary to use a small screwdriver to remove the ball.
14. Position the cage and inner race so they are level.
Fig 6: View Of Ball Removal/Installation Sequence
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
15. Repeat steps 14-16 in the removal sequence as shown until all of the balls are removed.
Fig 7: Positioning Cage & Inner Race 90 Degrees To Centerline Of Outer Race
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
16. Position the cage and the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race.
17. Align the cage windows with the lands of the outer race.
18. Lift to remove the cage and the inner race from the outer race.
Fig 8: Positioning Cage So Larger Radius Corners Of Cage Windows Are Up
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
19. Position the cage and inner race so that the larger radius corners of the cage windows are up.
20. Rotate the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the cage.
21. Align the lands of the inner race with the windows of the cage.
22. Insert an inner race land into a cage window.
23. Pivot the inner race down and remove it from the cage.
IMPORTANT: All traces of old grease and any contaminates must be removed.
24. Clean the following parts thoroughly with clean solvent:
    • The inner race
    • The outer race
    • The cage
    • The balls
    • The axle shaft exposed end
25. Thoroughly air dry all of the parts.
26. If any of the inner parts are found to be defective, replace the wheel drive shaft.