GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Sea

Tools Required

    • J 41398 CV Puller
    • J 2619-01 Slide Hammer Assembly

    Object Number: 256095  Size: SH

    Important: Due to the helical splines on the halfshaft bar, disassembly and assembly of the joints will be difficult. Follow the instructions provided.

  1. Remove the large seal retaining clamp from the CV joint with a side cutter. Discard the large seal retaining clamp.
  2. Remove the small seal retaining clamp from the halfshaft bar with a side cutter and discard.
  3. Separate the CV joint seal from the CV joint race (2) at the large diameter.
  4. Slide the seal away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.
  5. Wipe the grease from the face of the CV joint inner race (1).
  6. Before removing the CV joint assembly from the halfshaft bar, perform the following procedure:
  7. 6.1. Choose a reference mark (B) on the halfshaft bar.
    6.2. Measure the distance between the reference mark (B) and the face of the CV joint inner race (1). Make a note of this measurement. The measurement is (A).

    Object Number: 256097  Size: SH
  8. Clamp the halfshaft (1) into a vise.

  9. Object Number: 256100  Size: SH
  10. Attach the J 41398 to the threaded area of the outer race (2).

  11. Object Number: 256103  Size: SH
  12. Attach J 2619-01 onto the outer end of the J 41398 .
  13. Use the J 2619-01 to remove the CV joint from the halfshaft bar.
  14. Remove J 2619-01 and J 41398 from the CV joint.
  15. Important: Never reuse the retaining ring.

  16. Remove the retaining ring from the halfshaft bar. Discard the retaining ring.
  17. Remove the CV joint seal (1) from the halfshaft bar.

  18. Object Number: 211933  Size: SH
  19. Place a brass drift against the CV joint cage (1).
  20. Tap gently on the brass drift with a hammer in order to tilt the cage (1).
  21. Remove the first chrome alloy ball (2) when the CV joint cage (1) tilts.
  22. Tilt the CV joint cage (1) in the opposite direction to remove the opposing chrome alloy ball (2).
  23. Repeat this process to remove all six of the balls.

  24. Object Number: 214946  Size: SH
  25. Pivot the CV joint cage (4) and the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race (1). At the same time, align the cage windows with the lands of the outer race (2).
  26. Lift out the cage (4) and the inner race.

  27. Object Number: 214947  Size: SH
  28. Remove the inner race (1) from the cage (2) by rotating the inner race (1) upward.
  29. Clean the inner and outer race assemblies, the CV joint cage and the chrome alloy balls thoroughly with cleaning solvent. Remove all traces of old grease and any contaminates.
  30. Dry all the parts.
  31. Check the CV joint assembly for unusual wear, cracks, or other damage.
  32. Replace any damaged parts.
  33. Clean the halfshaft bar. Use a wire brush to remove any rust in the seal mounting area (grooves).

Tools Required

J 35910 Seal Clamp Tool


    Object Number: 214947  Size: SH
  1. Put a light coat of grease from service kit on the ball grooves of the inner race and the outer race.
  2. Hold the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the cage with the lands of the inner race (1) aligned with the windows of cage (2).
  3. Insert the inner race into the cage.

  4. Object Number: 214946  Size: SH
  5. Hold the cage and the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race. Align the cage windows (3) with the lands of the outer race (2).
  6. Important: Ensure that the retaining ring side of the inner race faces the halfshaft bar.

  7. Install the cage and the inner race into outer race.

  8. Object Number: 211933  Size: SH
  9. Place a brass drift against the CV joint cage (1).
  10. Tap gently on the brass drift with a hammer in order to tilt the cage (1).
  11. Install the first chrome alloy ball (2) when the CV joint cage (1) tilts.
  12. Repeat this process to install all six of the balls.
  13. Pack the CV joint with half of the grease supplied in the service kit.

  14. Object Number: 256095  Size: SH
  15. Install the new small retaining clamp on the neck of the seal. Do not crimp.
  16. Clean the halfshaft bar. Use a wire brush to remove any rust in the seal mounting area (grooves).
  17. Slide the CV joint seal onto the halfshaft bar. Expose the reference mark (B) by sliding the CV joint seal up the halfshaft bar toward the tripot end.

  18. Object Number: 238932  Size: SH
  19. Position the large seal retaining clamp around the joint seal.
  20. Place the new retaining ring in the inner race.
  21. Slide the CV joint (2) on the halfshaft bar (1).

  22. Object Number: 256095  Size: SH
  23. Measure the distance between the reference mark on the halfshaft bar (B) and the face of the CV joint inner race (1).
  24. Compare the mark with the measurement made before disassembly. The distance measured after assembly must be within +-1 mm of the distance measured before disassembly.
  25. Repeat the previous four steps if the current measurement does not match the measurement made before disassembly.

  26. Object Number: 214026  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  27. Place the neck of the CV joint seal into the seal groove on the halfshaft bar.
  28. Important: Check the clamp position during the crimping operation in order to ensure the clamp (1) is positioned correctly around the entire circumference.

  29. Crimp the small retaining clamp (1) by using J 35910 , a breaker bar, and a torque wrench.
  30. Tighten
    Tighten the seal retaining clamp to 136 N·m (100 lb ft).

  31. Check the gap dimension. Continue tightening until the gap dimension is reached.
  32. Place the remaining grease from the service kit inside the seal.

  33. Object Number: 256106  Size: SH
  34. Measure approximately 17.5 mm (11/16 in) up from the bottom edge of the CV outer joint assembly.
  35. Slide the large diameter of the seal with the large seal retaining clamp in place over the outside of CV joint.
  36. Important: The CV joint seal must not be dimpled, stretched or out of shape in any way. If seal is not shaped correctly, equalize pressure in the seal and shape the seal properly by hand.

  37. Locate the seal lip to the ridge of the CV outer joint assembly as measured in the previous step.

  38. Object Number: 245263  Size: SH
  39. Crimp the seal retaining clamp (1) with J 35910 , a breaker bar (3) and a torque wrench (2).
  40. Tighten
    Tighten the seal retaining clamp to 176 N·m (130 lb ft).

  41. Check the gap dimension. Continue tightening until the correct gap dimension is reached.

Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement Wheel Drive Shaft Out Joint and Seal

Tools Required

    • J 41398 CV Puller
    • J 2619-01 Slide Hammer Assembly

    Object Number: 256095  Size: SH

    Important: Due to the helical splines on the halfshaft bar, disassembly and assembly of the joints will be difficult. Follow the instructions provided.

  1. Remove the large seal retaining clamp from the CV joint with a side cutter. Discard the large seal retaining clamp.
  2. Remove the small seal retaining clamp from the halfshaft bar with a side cutter and discard.
  3. Separate the CV joint seal from the CV joint race (2) at the large diameter.
  4. Slide the seal away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.
  5. Wipe the grease from the face of the CV joint inner race (1).
  6. Before removing the CV joint assembly from the halfshaft bar, perform the following procedure:
  7. 6.1. Choose a reference mark (B) on the halfshaft bar.
    6.2. Measure the distance between the reference mark (B) and the face of the CV joint inner race (1). Make a note of this measurement. The measurement is (A).

    Object Number: 256097  Size: SH
  8. Clamp the halfshaft (1) into a vise.

  9. Object Number: 256100  Size: SH
  10. Attach the J 41398 to the threaded area of the outer race (2).

  11. Object Number: 256103  Size: SH
  12. Attach J 2619-01 onto the outer end of the J 41398 .
  13. Use the J 2619-01 to remove the CV joint from the halfshaft bar.
  14. Remove J 2619-01 and J 41398 from the CV joint.
  15. Important: Never reuse the retaining ring.

  16. Remove the retaining ring from the halfshaft bar. Discard the retaining ring.
  17. Remove the CV joint seal (1) from the halfshaft bar.

  18. Object Number: 211933  Size: SH
  19. Place a brass drift against the CV joint cage (1).
  20. Tap gently on the brass drift with a hammer in order to tilt the cage (1).
  21. Remove the first chrome alloy ball (2) when the CV joint cage (1) tilts.
  22. Tilt the CV joint cage (1) in the opposite direction to remove the opposing chrome alloy ball (2).
  23. Repeat this process to remove all six of the balls.

  24. Object Number: 214946  Size: SH
  25. Pivot the CV joint cage (4) and the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race (1). At the same time, align the cage windows with the lands of the outer race (2).
  26. Lift out the cage (4) and the inner race.

  27. Object Number: 214947  Size: SH
  28. Remove the inner race (1) from the cage (2) by rotating the inner race (1) upward.
  29. Clean the inner and outer race assemblies, the CV joint cage and the chrome alloy balls thoroughly with cleaning solvent. Remove all traces of old grease and any contaminates.
  30. Dry all the parts.
  31. Check the CV joint assembly for unusual wear, cracks, or other damage.
  32. Replace any damaged parts.
  33. Clean the halfshaft bar. Use a wire brush to remove any rust in the seal mounting area (grooves).

Tools Required

J 35910 Seal Clamp Tool


    Object Number: 214947  Size: SH
  1. Put a light coat of grease from service kit on the ball grooves of the inner race and the outer race.
  2. Hold the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the cage with the lands of the inner race (1) aligned with the windows of cage (2).
  3. Insert the inner race into the cage.

  4. Object Number: 214946  Size: SH
  5. Hold the cage and the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race. Align the cage windows (3) with the lands of the outer race (2).
  6. Important: Ensure that the retaining ring side of the inner race faces the outer race.

  7. Install the cage and the inner race into outer race.

  8. Object Number: 211933  Size: SH
  9. Place a brass drift against the CV joint cage (1).
  10. Tap gently on the brass drift with a hammer in order to tilt the cage (1).
  11. Install the first chrome alloy ball (2) when the CV joint cage (1) tilts.
  12. Repeat this process to install all six of the balls.
  13. Pack the CV joint with half of the grease supplied in the service kit.

  14. Object Number: 621765  Size: SH
  15. Install the new small retaining clamp (2) on the neck of the seal (3). Do not crimp.
  16. Clean the halfshaft bar (1). Use a wire brush to remove any rust in the seal mounting area (grooves).
  17. Slide the CV joint seal (3) onto the halfshaft bar (1). Expose the reference mark (4) by sliding the CV joint seal (3) up the halfshaft bar (1) toward the tripot end.

  18. Object Number: 256104  Size: SH
  19. Position the large seal retaining clamp around the joint seal.
  20. Place the new retaining ring onto the halfshaft bar.
  21. While supporting the tripot assembly, place the halfshaft assembly onto the arbor press with the CV assembly under the press head.
  22. Lower the arbor press head onto the CV joint assembly until the press cannot move any further. This ensures that the retaining ring engages in the inner race. Do not exceed 4,000 lbs press load during assembly.
  23. Remove the halfshaft assembly from the arbor press.

  24. Object Number: 256095  Size: SH
  25. Measure the distance between the reference mark on the halfshaft bar (B) and the face of the CV joint inner race (1).
  26. Compare the mark with the measurement made before disassembly. The distance measured after assembly must be within +-1 mm (.039") of the distance measured before disassembly.
  27. Repeat the previous four steps if the current measurement does not match the measurement made before disassembly.

  28. Object Number: 214026  Size: SH

    Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

  29. Place the neck of the CV joint seal into the seal groove on the halfshaft bar.
  30. Important: Check the clamp position during the crimping operation in order to ensure the clamp (1) is positioned correctly around the entire circumference.

  31. Crimp the small retaining clamp (1) by using J 35910 , a breaker bar, and a torque wrench.
  32. Tighten
    Tighten the seal retaining clamp to 136 N·m (100 lb ft).

  33. Check the gap dimension. Continue tightening until the gap dimension is reached.
  34. Place the remaining grease from the service kit inside the seal.

  35. Object Number: 256106  Size: SH
  36. Measure approximately 17.5 mm (11/16 in) up from the bottom edge of the CV outer joint assembly.
  37. Slide the large diameter of the seal with the large seal retaining clamp in place over the outside of CV joint.
  38. Important: The CV joint seal must not be dimpled, stretched or out of shape in any way. If seal is not shaped correctly, equalize pressure in the seal and shape the seal properly by hand.

  39. Locate the seal lip to the ridge of the CV outer joint assembly as measured in the previous step.

  40. Object Number: 245263  Size: SH
  41. Crimp seal retaining clamp (1) with J 35910 , a breaker bar (3), and a torque wrench (2).
  42. Tighten
    Tighten seal retaining clamp to 176 N·m (130 lb ft).

  43. Check the gap dimension. Continue tightening until the correct gap dimension is reached.