GM 15855657 Boot Kit,Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Tri, Pot Joint

Begin by removing the CV axle from the vehicle and mounting it in a vise with jaws lined to prevent damage. Remove boot clamps, pull boot back from inner CV joint to slide off the joint housing. Mark relationship of tripod to outer race. For rear CV joint, note orientation of spring and guide and remove them from housing. Use center punch to mark alignment between tripod and axleshaft for proper installation. Remove stop-ring and retainer clip from end of axleshaft, or if necessary, use a hammer and brass punch to drive the tripod joint from the CV axle. Slide the boot off the axleshaft for inspection purposes. Clean old grease out of outer race and assembly for tripod bearing after disassembling each section of tripod assembly one at a time to clean needle bearings with solvent. Check rollers, tripod, bearings, outer race for abnormal wear or scoring or pitting indicating replacement is necessary.For installation : slide clamps & boot onto axleshaft; wrap tape around shaft splines; install Stop-ring on shaft . Place on shaft , aligning match marks ; then install new retainer clip . Apply CV joint grease inside of boot , inside of joint housing , and over tripoid assembly . Rear cv axles have springs that need to be installed into the housing while all models will require sliding the housing overtripod . Fit boot into place positioning cv joint mid travel equalize pressure in booth tighten clamp boots Finally install driveaxle.For removal : remove boot clamps ; strike edge Cv Joint Housing using soft-face hammer causing it fall away from Cv Axle .Slide outer Cv Boot off Axleshaft making marks on inner race and cage for re-assembly orientation. Press down on inner race allowing one ball bearing to be removed then pry balls out of cage one at a time. Tilt cage/inner race assembly 90 degrees with balls removed aligning cage windows with lands on outer race lift assembly from outer race. Turn inner race 90 degrees in cage aligning inner lands with cage windows and remove it from the cage , Clean components by solvent inspection for wear and damage, such as pitting, score marks and cracks. Shiny polished spots are normal and do not affect cv joint operation. Reverse the removal technique to install inner race in cage then inner race &cage assembly into outer race.During installation: slide new sealing boot clamps and sealing boot onto axleshaft; position balls in the windows of cage; place new bearing retainer clip on axleshaft. Take half the grease provided to the outer CV joint assembly housing &the remaining grease to go inside sealing boot. Align splines on axleshaft with outer CV joint assembly then using soft-faced hammer gently drive the cv joint onto the axleshaft until it is seated.Position CV Joint halfway through stroke equalize boot pressure tighten boot clamps finally install driveaxle.

It is recommended to wash the driveaxle boots with soap and water.

If necessary, use a hammer and brass punch to drive the tripod joint from the driveaxle. Slide the boot off the axleshaft for inspection.

If it's a rear CV joint, note the orientation of the spring and guide and remove them from the housing.

The purpose of driveaxle boots is to prevent dirt, water, and foreign material from entering and damaging the constant velocity (CV) joints.

During the inspection of the driveaxle boots, tears, cracks, and loose clamps should be checked.