Disassembly Procedure
- Remove the outer constant velocity (CV) joint and boot from the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement.
- Remove any grease from the CV joint.
- Install the outer CV joint assembly in a vise.
- Using a brass drift (1), gentle tap the cage until the ball bearing can be removed from the cage.
- Using a small screwdriver, remove the ball bearings from the CV joint.
- Position the cage and the inner race so they are level.
- Remove the ball bearings from the CV joint in sequence.
- Position the cage at a 90° to the centerline of the outer race.
- Align the cage windows with the lands of the outer race.
- Lift and remove the cage and the inner race from the outer race.
- Position the cage and the inner race so that the larger radius corners of the cage windows are up.
- Rotate the inner race 90° to the center line of the cage.
- Align the lands of the inner race with the windows of the cage.
- Move the inner race land into the cage window.
- Rotate the inner race down and remove it from the cage.
- Clean the following items thoroughly with the proper cleaning solvent:
- If any of the above items are found to have excessive wear or are damaged, replace the outer CV joint as an assembly.
Important: The following procedure will have to be repeated until all the ball bearing are removed form the cage.
Important: Position the cage so that the larger radius corners of the cage windows are facing up.
| • | The inner race |
| • | The outer race |
| • | The cage |
| • | The ball bearings |
| • | The exposed end of the wheel drive shaft |
Important: The internal parts of the CV joint are NOT SERVICED separately. The outer CV joint is serviced as an assembly.
Assembly Procedure
- Position the cage so that the larger radius corners of the cage windows are up.
- Position the inner race 90° to the centerline of the cage.
- Insert the inner race through the bottom of the cage.
- Align the lands of the inner race with the windows of the cage.
- Move the inner race land into the cage window.
- Rotate the inner race down and remove it from the cage.
- Rotate the inner race within the cage so that the grooved surface of the inner race is facing up.
- Align the inner race ball bearing tracks with the cage windows.
- Wrap a clean shop towel around the CV joint outer race splined shaft.
- Place the outer race vertically in a bench vise.
- Position the cage and the inner race at a 90° to the centerline of the outer race.
- With the inner race and the cage assembly in a vertical position, insert the cage and the inner race into the outer race.
- Position the cage and the inner race so that they are level in the vise.
- Rotate the appropriate component (s), and align the cage windows and the inner race ball bearing tracks with the outer race ball bearing tracks.
- Position a cage window and the inner race ball bearing track for the ball bearing installation.
- Press down on the cage following one of the outer race ball bearing tracks.
- Install the ball bearing through the cage window onto the inner race ball bearing track.
- After the first ball bearing has been installed, use a brass drift and a hammer and gently tap the cage in order to drive the cage and the inner race down completely in the outer race.
- Position the cage and the inner race so that they are level.
- Using a plastic hammer, lightly tap the ball bearing into place.
- Install the ball bearings in sequence.
- Repeat steps 17 thru 19 until all the ball bearings are installed.
- Install the outer CV joint and boot on the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement.
Important: The larger radius corners of the cage windows should be positioned up and the grooved surface of the inner race should be visible.
Important: When performing the following procedure, the opposing cage window and the inner ball bearing track will be accessible for the ball bearing installation.
Important: The following service procedure will have to be performed after each ball bearing has been installed.
Important: After the ball bearing has been installed, there should be NO GAP between the ball bearing and the inner race.
