Constant Velocity Joint: Service and Repair

CV JOINT

REMOVAL





1. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.





2. Remove the inner C/V boot retaining clamp (1) from the axle halfshaft.
3. Remove the outer C/V boot retaining clamp (2) from the C/V joint housing.





4. Clamp the axle halfshaft in a vise.

CAUTION: Insure to use a vise that is equipped with protective caps on the jaws of the vise to prevent any damage to the axle halfshaft.

5. Remove the C/V boot from the C/V joint housing and slide it down the axle halfshaft.
6. Wipe away the grease to expose the C/V joint and the halfshaft.





7. Using a soft-faced hammer sharply hit the end of the C/V joint housing to dislodge the housing from the internal circlip on the axle halfshaft.
8. Slide the C/V joint off the end of the halfshaft.
9. Thoroughly clean and inspect the C/V joint assembly for any signs of excessive wear.

INSPECTION

DISASSEMBLING





1. Before disassembling the C/V joint assembly, mark the positions of joint ring, joint hub and the bearing cage with a suitable marking tool (1).





2. Rotate the bearing cage inside of the joint hub (arrow) and remove the bearing balls one at a time.
3. Remove the joint hub and the bearing cage from the joint ring.





4. Pivot the joint hub 90° relative to the bearing cage and remove it from the assembly.
5. Thoroughly clean all the parts.

INSPECTION





1. Inspect the roller tracks in the C/V joint housing (1), bearing cage (2), and joint hub (4). Inspect the bearing balls (3) for signs of pitting or wear.
2. If these parts are extremely worn, the entire C/V joint must be replaced. Smooth areas and tracks caused by the ball bearings are no reason to replace the C/V joint.

ASSEMBLING





1. Hold the joint hub vertically relative to the bearing cage, then guide it into place.





2. Insert one bearing ball, paying attention to the alignment marks on the joint hub and bearing cage.
3. Insert the joint hub with the bearing cage and the bearing ball in the joint ring while ensuring that the markings are properly aligned.





4. Tilt the joint hub out with the bearing cage to allow the bearing balls to be inserted one after the other.
5. The C/V joint is now ready to be installed on the halfshaft.

INSTALLATION





1. Align the splines on the axle halfshaft (1) with the splines on the C/V joint assembly (3).





2. Install the C/V joint assembly onto the axle halfshaft by using a soft-faced hammer and tapping the end of the stub axle until the C/V joint is fully seated on the axle halfshaft.

Note: The C/V joint assembly must be installed on axle halfshaft until the C/V joint assembly is seated against the circlip on the halfshaft.

Note: Do not use any other type of grease other than what is supplied in the C/V boot service package.





3. Pack approximately 1/2 the amount of grease provided in the C/V boot service package into the outer C/V joint cavity.
4. Pack the remaining amount of grease into the C/V boot.

Note: The C/V boot must be positioned on the axle halfshaft so the raised bead on the inside of the C/V boot is in the groove on the axle halfshaft.





5. Install the C/V boot outer end into the sealing groove (1) of the C/V joint housing.
6. Install the C/V boot inner end into the sealing groove of the axle halfshaft.





7. Position the inner C/V boot retaining clamp (1) and the outer C/V boot retaining clamp (2) into the sealing grooves on the C/V boot.





8. Position the crimping tool (1) on the C/V boot retaining clamp (3).

Note: The jaws of the crimping tool must be closed completely for proper sealing.





9. Crimp the new C/V boot retaining clamp (3).