Assembly Procedure

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 Cadillac DTS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: View Of Swage Ring, Joint Boot & Boot Groove

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Place the new swage ring (2) onto the small end of the joint boot (1). Slide the boot (1) and the swage ring (2) onto the halfshaft bar.
Position the small end of the boot (1) into the boot groove (3) on the halfshaft bar.

Fig 2: Mountting J 41048 In Vise

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Mount J 41048 in a vise and proceed as follows: See Special Tools .
1. Position the outboard end (1) of the halfshaft assembly in tool J 41048 . See Special Tools .
2. Align the top of boot neck on the bottom die using the indicator.
3. Place the top half of the J 41048 on the lower half of the J 41048 . See Special Tools .
4. Before proceeding, ensure there are no pinch points on the boot. This could cause damage to the boot.
5. Insert the bolts (2).
6. Tighten the bolts by hand until snug.
  NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Cautions and Notices.

Fig 3: Identifying Halfshaft Inboard Seal & Swage Ring

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Align the following items:
- The halfshaft outboard boot (1)
- The halfshaft bar boot grooves
- The swage ring (2)
  Tighten: Tighten each bolt of J 41048 180 degrees at a time using a ratchet wrench. See Special Tools . Alternate between each bolt until both sides are bottomed.

Fig 4: View Of Outer Race, Inner Race, Cage Window & CV Joint Cage

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Put a light coat of grease from the service kit on the ball grooves of the inner race and the outer race (1).
Hold inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the cage (4) with the lands of the inner race aligned with the windows of the cage and insert the inner race into the cage.
Hold the cage and the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race (1) and align the cage windows (3) with the lands of the outer race (2).
IMPORTANT: Ensure that the retaining ring side of the inner race faces the halfshaft bar.
Place the cage (4) and the inner race into the outer race (1).
Insert the first chrome ball then tilt the cage in the opposite direction to insert the opposing ball.
Repeat this process until all 6 balls are in place.
Place approximately half the grease from the service kit inside the outboard boot and pack the CV joint with the remaining grease.

Fig 5: Pushing CV Joint Onto Halfshaft

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Push the CV joint (2) onto the halfshaft bar (1) until the retaining ring is seated in the groove on the bar.

Fig 6: View Of Boot And Large Seal Retaining Clamp
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

IMPORTANT: The outboard boot (1) must not be dimpled, stretched or out of shape in any way. If the boot (1) is not shaped correctly, equalize the pressure in the boot (1) and shape the boot (1) properly by hand.
Slide large diameter of the outboard boot (1) with the large boot retaining clamp (2) in place over the outside of the CV joint outer race (3) and locate the boot lip in the groove on the CV joint outer race (3).

Fig 7: Crimping Seal Retaining Clamp

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Crimp the boot retaining clamp (1) using J 35910 , a breaker bar (3), and a torque wrench (2).
Tighten: Tighten to 176 N.m (130 lb ft).
Check the clamp gap dimension on the clamp ear. If the gap dimension is larger than shown, continue tightening until gap dimension is reached (dimension a = 1.9 mm).