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 .

1. Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
2. Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
3. Using a side cutter or other suitable tool, remove the large and small boot clamp from the outer joint boot and discard the clamp.
4. Separate the boot from the joint outer race at the large diameter end.
5. Slide the boot away from the joint face.
6. Wipe the grease from the face of the joint inner race, cage, balls, etc.
Fig 1: Removing Inner Joint Assembly From Wheel Drive Shaft
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
7. Remove the outer joint from the axle shaft using the following steps:
   1. Hold the outer joint housing horizontally to the shaft.
   2. Position a brass drift on the inner race.
   3. Strike the brass drift with a hammer to compress the axle shaft retaining clip.
   4. Continue to strike the brass drift in order to remove the outer joint from the axle shaft.
Fig 2: View Of Ring Grooves
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
8. Remove and discard the narrow retaining ring from the outer narrow ring groove (2) at the end of the wheel drive shaft.
9. Remove and discard the wide spacer ring from the wide ring groove of the wheel drive shaft (1).
Fig 3: Removing/Installing Axle Shaft Boot Seal
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
10. Remove the boot from the axle shaft.
11. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vise.
12. Wrap a shop towel around the joint outer race splined shaft.
13. Place the outer race vertically in a bench vise.
IMPORTANT: All traces of old grease and any contaminates must be removed.
14. Clean the following parts thoroughly with clean solvent:
    • The inner race
    • The outer race
    • The cage
    • The balls
    • The wheel drive shaft exposed end
15. Thoroughly air dry all of the parts.
16. Inspect the following parts for damage and/or wear:
    • The inner race
    • The outer race
    • The cage
    • The balls
    • The wheel drive shaft exposed end