Constant Velocity Joint: Service and Repair

Two Wheel Drive

Disassemble shaft assembly components in order as they appear, noting the following:

Fig.7 Exploded View Of Birfield Joint & Tripod Type Driveshaft Assembly, Except AWD LH Shaft:

1. Remove snap ring from shaft using suitable snap ring pliers.
2. Remove spider assembly from shaft.
3. Clean spider assembly and check for wear or damage. Do not disassemble spider assembly, if the tripod joint case of the shaft assembly is bent, the joint may be damaged. Use care in handling the shaft.
4. Wrap vinyl tape around splines of the shaft to prevent damage to boots during removal.
5. Check driveshaft for damage, bending or corrosion.
6. Check spline for wear or damage.
7. Check for entry of water or foreign material into Birfield joint.
8. Check spider assembly for roller rotation, wear, or corrosion.
9. Check the groove inside the tripod joint case for wear or corrosion.
10. Check boots for deterioration, damage, or cracking.
11. Assemble in reverse order of disassembly. A special grease is used to lubricate the joint assemblies. Each joint requires 3.9 oz. of grease.
12. Install bands and boots for each joint. When installing boot bands for tripod joint, set bands at specified distance, in order to adjust the amount of air inside the boot.

Fig.8 Tripod Joint Boot Installation, Except AWD LH Shaft:

All Wheel Drive (AWD)

The following procedure is only for the left side drive axle. Refer to "Two Wheel Drive" for service procedure on right side drive axle.

Disassemble shaft assembly components in order as they appear, noting the following:

Fig.9 Exploded View Of Birfield Joint, Tripod Type Driveshaft & Inner Shaft Assembly. AWD LH Shaft:

1. Separate outer part of shaft from inner shaft assembly.
2. Remove snap ring from shaft using suitable snap ring pliers.
3. Remove spider assembly from shaft.
4. Clean spider assembly and check for wear or damage. Do not disassemble spider assembly, if the tripod joint case of the shaft assembly is bent, the joint may be damaged. Use care in handling the shaft.
5. Wrap vinyl tape around splines of the shaft to prevent damage to boots during removal.
6. Do not disassemble the Birfield joint assembly, it is not serviceable.
7. Using special tool No. MB991248 or MD998801, or equivalent, press inner shaft assembly along with seal plate from the tripod joint case.

Fig.10 Inner Shaft Assembly Removal From Tripod Joint Case:

8. Using special tool No. MB990810-01, or equivalent, remove inner shaft from center bearing bracket.

Fig.11 Inner Shaft Removal From Center Bearing Bracket:

9. Using special tools No. MB990938-01 and MB990929-01, or equivalentm, remove center bearing from bracket.

Fig.12 Center Bearing Removal From Center Bearing Bracket:

10. Check driveshaft for damage, bending, or corrosion.
11. Check inner shaft for damage, bending, or corrosion.
12. Check driveshaft spline for wear or damage.
13. Check inner shaft spline for wear or damage.
14. Check for entry of water or foreign material into Birfield joint.
15. Check spider assembly for roller rotation, wear, or corrosion.
16. Check the groove inside the tripod joint case for wear or corrosion.
17. Check boots for deterioration, damage, or cracking.
18. Check the center bearing for seizure, discoloration, or roughness of rolling.
19. Check the dust cover for damage or deterioration.
20. Assemble in reverse order, noting the following:
a. Apply multipurpose grease to the center bearing and inside of the center bearing bracket.
b. Apply multipurpose grease to the inside lip of the bearing dust seals. Ensure grease does not adhere to anything outside the lip.
c. When installing dust seals, ensure seal surface is even with surface of bearing bracket.
d. Use a suitable pipe to support the inner race of the center bearing when pressing inner shaft into place.
e. Apply multipurpose grease to the spline of the inner shaft, then press into the tripod joint case.
f. Using special tools No. MB990938-01, MB990927-01, and MB991248 or MD998801, or equivalents, press seal plate into tripod joint case.

Fig.13 Seal Plate Installation Into Tripod Joint Case:

g. A special grease is used to lubricate the joint assemblies, the tripod joint uses 3.9oz., half at the joint and half in the boot. The Birfield joint uses 3.2 oz., half at the joint half in the boot. The grease is supplied in the repair kit.
h. When installing boot bands on the tripod joint, set the bands at a distance of 3.23-3.47 inch, to adjust the amount of air inside the boot.