Inboard Joint Side

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Wrap the splines on the driveshaft with vinyl tape (A) to prevent damaging the inboard boot.

Fig 1: Identifying Driveshaft With Vinyl Tape
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the inboard boot onto the driveshaft, then remove the vinyl tape. Be careful not to damage the inboard boot.
NOTE: Do not reuse the removed right front driveshaft inboard boot.
Install the spider (A) onto the driveshaft by aligning the marks (B) you made on the spider and the end of the driveshaft.

Fig 2: Identifying Spider On Driveshaft And Marks
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the snap ring (C) into the driveshaft groove. Always rotate the snap ring in its groove to make sure it is fully seated.
Fit the rollers (A) onto the spider (B) as shown, and note these items:
- Reinstall the rollers in their original positions on the spider by aligning the marks (C) you made.
- Hold the driveshaft pointed up to prevent the rollers from falling off.
Fig 3: Identifying Rollers On Spider
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pack the inboard joint with the joint grease included in the new inboard boot set.
Grease quantity

Left inboard joint: 190-210 g (6.7-7.4 oz)

Right inboard joint: 205-225 g (7.2-7.9 oz)

Fig 4: Filling Joint Grease In Inboard Boot Set
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Fit the inboard joint onto the driveshaft, and note these items:
- Reinstall the inboard joint onto the driveshaft by aligning the marks (A) you made on the inboard joint and the rollers.
- Hold the driveshaft so the inboard joint is pointing up to prevent it from falling off.
Fig 5: Aligning Marks On Inboard Joint And Rollers
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Fit the boot ends (A) onto the driveshaft (B) and the inboard joint (C).

Fig 6: Identifying Boot Ends, Driveshaft And Inboard Joint
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Adjust the length (A) of the drive shafts in the figure as shown, then adjust the boots to halfway between full compression and full extension. Bleed excess air from the boots by inserting a flat-tipped screwdriver between the boot and the joint.

Fig 7: Identifying Driveshaft Length (Left Side)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Fig 8: Identifying Driveshaft Length (Right Side)
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install new boot bands.
NOTE: Right side is only the low profile type.
- For the double loop type, go to step 11.
- For the low profile type, go to step 20.
Fit the boot ends onto the driveshaft and the inboard joint, then install a new double loop band (A) onto the boot (B).
NOTE: Pass the end of the double loop band through the clip (C) twice in the direction of the forward rotation of the driveshaft.

Fig 9: Installing Double Loop Band On Boot
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Pull up the slack in the band by hand.
Mark a line (A) on the band 10-14 mm (0.4-0.6 in) from the clip (B).

Fig 10: Identifying Mark Line On Band And Clip
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Thread the free end of the band through the nose section of the commercially available boot band tool (KD-3191 or equivalent) (A), and into the slot on the winding mandrel (B).

Fig 11: Tightening Band Marked Line On Band Meets
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Using a wrench on the winding mandrel of the boot band tool, tighten the band until the marked line (C) on the band meets the edge of the clip.
Lift up the boot band tool to bend the free end of the band 90 degrees to the clip. Center-punch the clip, then fold over the remaining tail onto the clip.

Fig 12: Tapping Boot Band In Center Punch Clip
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Unwind the boot band tool, and cut off the excess free end of the band to leave a 5-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in) tail protruding from the clip.

Fig 13: Identifying Boot Band Gap
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Bend the band end (A) by tapping it down using a hammer.
NOTE:
- Make sure the band and the clip do not interfere with anything on the vehicle, and the band does not move.
- Clean any grease remaining on the surrounding surfaces.
Fig 14: Tapping Boot Band
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Repeat steps 11 through 18 for the band on the other end of the boot.
Install a new low profile band (A) onto the boot (B), then hook the tab (C) of the band.

Fig 15: Installing Low Profile Band On Boot And Hook Tab
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Close the hook portion of the band using commercially available boot band pliers (A), then hook the tabs (B) of the band.

Fig 16: Closing Hook Portion Of Boot Band
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the boot band on the other end of the boot, and repeat steps 20 and 21.