Note. If defects in the protective cover are detected, the condition of the corresponding CV joint must be carefully studied. Often, fully remanufactured driveshaft assemblies can be purchased on a trade-in basis, which greatly simplifies the situation and saves time. Before proceeding with the dismantling of components, conduct marketing by finding out the prices of the necessary parts. Compare that to the cost of purchasing remanufactured builds.
Note. In car accessories stores, you can find split protective covers for CV joints. The installation of such covers does not require the dismantling of the shaft from the car, which in principle is very convenient. However, the compilers of this Guide still recommend removing the shafts to check the condition of the CV joints and stuff them with fresh grease.
Drive Shaft Assembly Components
1 - Snap ring; 2 - Outer retaining ring; 3 - Internal retaining ring; 4 - External bandage tape for fastening the protective cover; 5 - Internal bandage tape for fastening the cover; 6 - Outer CV joint; 7 - Bandage tape for fastening the cover; 8 - Protective cover of the CV joint; 9 - Housing / outer race of the inner CV joint; 10 - Tripod assembly; 11 - Protective cover of the CV joint; 12 - Bearing element of the tripod assembly; 13 - Roller needle bearing (or just a tripod bearing roller)
1. Remove the drive shaft (see Removal and installation of power shafts).
2. Clamp the removed shaft in a vise with soft jaws. Shaft assembly components are shown in the accompanying illustration above.
Internal CV joint
Disassembly
1a. Cut off the bandage straps of the cover fastening and slide the latter from the hinge to the center of the shaft (see accompanying illustrations).
1b. Evaluate the external condition of the old CV joint, if there is the slightest doubt, the cover should be replaced.
2. Paint or use a scriber to mark the position of the tripod bearing assembly in relation to the outer race of the hinge. Remove the race from the bearing.
3. Remove the circlip from the outer shaft stud.
4. Secure the bearing rollers by wrapping them with tape (see accompanying illustration), then tap the tripod assembly off the shaft using a hammer and brass drift.
5. Remove the circlip and remove the old protective cover from the drive shaft.
Examination
1. Carefully remove any traces of grease from the outer race of the hinge and the cavities of the tripod bearing. One by one, so as not to confuse, remove each of the sections of the tripod assembly and wash the rollers of the needle bearings with solvent.
2. Check the rollers, bearings, the bearing part of the tripod assembly and the outer race of the hinge for signs of excessive wear of cavities, scoring, cracks and other mechanical damage. If necessary, replace the CV joint.
Assembly
1a. Wrap the splines of the drive shaft with tape to protect against the new CV joint protector from cuts (see accompanying illustration).
1b. Put the cover on the shaft, remove the adhesive tape and fit the inner retaining ring (see accompanying illustration).
2. Place the tripod assembly on the shaft.
3. Secure the tripod assembly with the outer retaining ring (see accompanying illustration).
4. Lubricate the inner sides of the roller bearings with a special grease to temporarily fix them on the bearing elements of the tripod assembly (see accompanying illustration). Make sure that each roller is installed strictly in its original place.
Note. If the rollers are equipped with a rectangular flat, make sure that they are installed with these flats to the shaft.
5. Fill the outer race of the pivot halfway with the grease supplied with the new boot. Stuff the cover with the rest of the grease. Install the outer race on the shaft (see accompanying illustration). Follow the correct alignment of the marks of the relative position of the cage and the tripod bearing made during the dismantling process.
6. Fit boot lips into grooves on joint outer race and shaft body, then adjust shaft assembly length as required Specifications (see accompanying illustration).
7. Having set the length of the shaft, release the air from under the cover by prying its outer (larger diameter) edge with a blunt screwdriver (see accompanying illustration). Be careful not to damage the case.
8a. Secure the cover with new bandage tapes (see accompanying illustrations): Fold back the free end of the bandage tape.
8b. Then fold back the locking tabs.
9. Install the shaft assembly on the vehicle (see Removal and installation of power shafts).
Outer CV joint
Disassembly
1. Acting in accordance with the instructions above, remove the inner CV joint from the drive shaft and disassemble it.
2. If the shaft is equipped with a dynamic damper, mark with paint the position of the outer edge of the damper assembly relative to the shaft, then cut the yoke and remove the damper. When replacing components, it is necessary to ensure that the distance between the inner CV joint boot and the damper is maintained (see Specifications).
3. Cut off the bandage tapes and remove the SHRUS protective cover from the shaft.
Note. The outer CV joint cannot be disassembled and removed from the shaft.
Examination
1. Thoroughly wash the inner and outer CV joints with solvent, then dry them with compressed air.
Attention! Remember to wear protective goggles when using compressed air!
Note. Since the outer CV joint cannot be disassembled, removing traces of old grease and solvent from it is associated with certain difficulties, but must be done in the most careful way.
2. Turning the hinge cover at various angles, carefully examine the condition of the balls, races and bearing cage (see accompanying illustration). If defects are found, replace the shaft assembly.
Assembly
1a. Wrap the splines of the drive shaft with tape to protect against the new CV joint protector from cuts (see accompanying illustration). Put the cover on the shaft, remove the adhesive tape, then stuff the grease supplied in the repair kit into the cover. Bring the cover into working position and fix it with new bandage tapes.
2. Place the tripod assembly on the shaft.
3. Secure the tripod assembly with the outer retaining ring (see accompanying illustration).
4. If equipped, install a shock absorber on the shaft. Follow the correct alignment of the landing marks applied during the dismantling process.
Note. When replacing the shaft, take care to maintain the required distance from the damper to the inner CV joint (see Specifications). Install a new mounting clamp.
5. Wash and assemble the inner CV joint assembly. Install the drive shaft assembly to the vehicle (see Removal and installation of power shafts).