Wheel Drive Shaft Outer Joint and Boot Replacement. Buick GL7 (Export) 2000

For 1990-2009 cars

### Disassembly Procedure

#### Tools Required

J 8059 Snap Ring Pliers

1. Disconnect the swage ring from the halfshaft bar using a hand grinder to cut through the ring taking care not to damage the halfshaft bar.
2. Remove the large boot retaining clamp (2) from the tripot joint with side cutters. Discard the large boot retaining clamp (2).
3. Separate the inboard boot from the trilobal tripot bushing (3) at the large diameter.
4. Slide the boot away from the joint along the halfshaft bar.
5. Remove the housing (1) from the tripot joint spider and the halfshaft bar (2).
6. Spread spacer ring (2) using J 8059 .
7. Slide the spacer ring (3) and the tripot joint spider (2) back on the halfshaft bar (4).
8. Remove the halfshaft bar retaining ring (1) from the groove on the halfshaft bar.
9. Slide tripot joint spider assembly (2) off of the halfshaft bar (4).
10. Clean the tripot joint spider assembly (2) and the housing thoroughly with cleaning solvent.
11. Remove all traces of old grease and any contaminates. Dry all the parts.
12. Remove the trilobal tripot bushing from the housing.
13. Remove the spacer ring (3) and the boot from the halfshaft bar (4).
14. Inspect the following parts for damage or wear:

• | The inboard boot

• | The tripot joint spider assembly (2)

• | The housing

• | The trilobal tripot bushing

### Assembly Procedure

#### Tools Required

• | J 41048 Swage Tool

• | J 8059 Snap Ring Pliers

• | J 35910 Seal Clamp Tool

1. Install the new swage ring (2) on the neck of the inboard boot (1). Do not swage.
2. Slide the halfshaft inboard boot (1) onto the halfshaft bar.
3. Position the neck of the halfshaft inboard boot (1) in the boot groove (3) on the halfshaft bar.
4. Position the inboard end of the halfshaft assembly (1) using J 41048 .
5. Align the swage ring (2) by performing the following steps:

5.1. | Place the top half of J 41048 on the lower half of J 41048 .

5.2. | Insert the bolts.

5.3. | Tighten the bolts by hand until snug.

Notice: Use the correct fastener in the correct location. Replacement fasteners must be the correct part number for that application. Fasteners requiring replacement or fasteners requiring the use of thread locking compound or sealant are identified in the service procedure. Do not use paints, lubricants, or corrosion inhibitors on fasteners or fastener joint surfaces unless specified. These coatings affect fastener torque and joint clamping force and may damage the fastener. Use the correct tightening sequence and specifications when installing fasteners in order to avoid damage to parts and systems.

Important: Align the following items:

• | The inboard boot (1)

• | The housing

• | The swage ring (2)

Tighten
Each bolt 180 degrees at a time using a ratchet wrench. Alternate between each bolt until both sides are bottomed.

5.4. | Loosen the bolts.

5.5. | Separate the dies.

5.6. | Check the swage ring (2) for any "lip" deformities. If present, place the ring (2) back into the J 41048 ensuring the swage ring (2) covers the whole swaging area.

5.7. | Re-swage the swage ring (2).

6. Install the spacer ring (3) on the halfshaft bar (4) and beyond the second groove.

Important: Ensure that the counterbored face of the tripot joint spider (2) faces the end of the halfshaft bar (4).

7. Slide the tripot joint spider assembly (2) toward the spacer ring (3) as far as it will go on the halfshaft bar (4).
8. Install the halfshaft bar retaining ring (1) in the groove of the halfshaft bar (4) using J 8059 .
9. Slide the tripot joint spider assembly (2) towards the end of the halfshaft bar (4).
10. Reseat the spacer ring (1) in the groove on the halfshaft bar (4).
11. Place approximately half of the grease from the service kit in the inboard boot. Use the remainder of the grease to repack the housing.
12. Install the trilobal tripot bushing to housing. Ensure the trilobal tripot bushing is flush with the face of the housing.
13. Position the larger new clamp on the inboard boot.
14. Slide the housing over the tripot joint spider assembly on the halfshaft bar.
15. Slide the large diameter of the inboard boot, with the larger clamp in place, over the outside of the trilobal tripot bushing and locate the lip of the boot in the groove.

Important: The inboard boot (2) must not be dimpled, stretched out or out of shape in any way. If the inboard boot (2) is not shaped correctly, carefully insert a thin flat blunt tool (no sharp edges) between the large boot opening and the trilobal tripot bushing to equalize the pressure. Shape the inboard boot properly by hand. Remove the tool.

16. Position the joint assembly at the proper vehicle dimension.

Important: Align the following items while latching:

• | The inboard boot

• | The housing (2)

• | The large boot retaining clamp (3)

17. Crimp the boot retaining clamp (3) with J 35910 .

Tighten
Crimp the clamp (3) to 174 N·m (130 lb ft).

18. Check the gap dimension on the clamp ear. Continue tightening until the gap dimension is reached.