Flow of Diagnosis

INSPECTION AND VERIFICATION
1. Inspect front wheel driveshaft joint boots for evidence of cracks, tears or splits.

NOTE: Halfshafts should not be replaced unless disassembly and inspection reveals unusual wear.

2. Inspect underbody for any indication of grease splatter in vicinity of front wheel driveshaft joint boots, outboard and inboard locations, which is an indication of front wheel driveshaft joint boot and/or front wheel driveshaft joint boot clamp damage.

NOTE: While inspecting the front wheel driveshaft joint boots, watch for indentations (dimples) in the boot convolutions. if an indentation is observed, it must be removed.

3. Inspect for inboard CV joint stub shaft pilot bearing housing seal leakage at inboard CV joint housing.
4. Make sure front axle wheel hub retainer is the correct prevailing torque type.

NOTE: Halfshafts are not balanced and do not contribute to rotational vibration disturbances.

5. The silicone front wheel driveshaft joint boot will sweat during operation, causing a light film of grease to show on the outside of the front wheel driveshaft joint boot. This condition is normal.
6. Proceed to Diagnosis by Symptom.
Component Tests and General Diagnostics