Axle Bearing: Service and Repair

Replacing pilot bearing, right drive shaft

Special tools:
999 1801 STANDARD SHAFT 999 1801 Standard Shaft
999 2853 RING JOINTED 999 2853 Ring Jointed
999 5118 PUNCH 999 5118 Punch
999 5491 PRESS TOOL 999 5491 Press Tool
999 5318 PUNCH 999 5318 Punch
999 5519 Drift 999 5519 Drift
981 4215 Withdrawn replaced by 9512619 981 4215 Withdrawn Replaced By 9512619

Note! For drive shaft removal see Drive shafts, removing Drive Shafts, Removing and to install see Drive shafts, installing Drive Shafts, Installing. Unless otherwise stated the methods for replacing pilot bearing and cleaning the inner constant velocity joint is the same for both manual and automatic transmission cars. The inner constant velocity joint can only be disassembled on cars with automatic transmission.

Expose the inner constant velocity joint




- Remove clamps from the inner boot.
- Pull off the inner boot from the inner constant velocity joint.

Wipe grease off constant velocity joint




Secure the drive shaft in a vise so that the circlip cut-out is upmost.
Position a drift, shaped according to Adapting a drift Adapting A Drift between the circlip eyes.

Remove constant velocity joint from drive shaft




- Open the circlip so it disengages from the locking groove.
- Tap out the inner ring onto the shaft a few millimeters, so that the circlip will stay open.
- Use a brass drift to tap out the inner constant velocity joint.

Caution! Only tap the inner ring so as not to damage the ball housing or outer ring.

Clean CV constant velocity joint thoroughly




The constant velocity joint must be cleaned assembled as it cannot be disassembled.

Press off circlip and pilot bearing from shaft




- Use tool 999 2853 RING JOINTED 999 2853 Ring Jointed. Support tool and shaft as illustrated.

Install new bearing and new circlip




Use tool 999 5491 PRESS TOOL 999 5491 Press Tool as a support on circlip side.
Position handle 999 1801 STANDARD SHAFT 999 1801 Standard Shaft at base of constant velocity joint and press on pilot bearing and circlip.
Check that pilot bearing is fully home to its contact surfaces.

Install new circlip in constant velocity joint




Grease constant velocity joint. See Drive shafts, installing Drive Shafts, Installing.
Check that boot is undamaged; alternatively install new boot on the outer shaft.

Assembly of inner and outer drive shafts:





Mount the outer drive shaft in a vise
- Ensure that inner ring is square in the constant velocity joint.

Tap on shaft to joint
- Check the circlip has seated in its groove.

Insert the rest of the grease into the constant velocity joint





Caution! Make sure that there is no grease on the mating surface of the boot on the sides facing the constant velocity joint and the shaft.

- Clean off excess grease with denatured alcohol.
Pull boot on to the constant velocity joint and ensure it is correctly positioned on the drive shaft.

Install new clamps
- Use pliers 981 4215 Withdrawn replaced by 9512619 981 4215 Withdrawn Replaced By 9512619.

Note! Installing drive shafts Drive shafts, installing Drive Shafts, Installing