Special Tools

J 42572 Drive Shaft Boot Clamp Pliers

This procedure is to be performed only after the wheel drive shaft has been removed from the vehicle. Refer to Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Left Side or Front Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement - Right Side .

1. Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
2. Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
3. Using a side cutter or other suitable tool, remove the large and small boot clamp from the outer joint boot and discard the clamp.
4. Separate the boot from the joint outer race at the large diameter end.
5. Slide the boot away from the joint face.
6. Wipe the grease from the face of the joint inner race, cage, balls, etc.



7. Remove the outer joint from the axle shaft using the following steps:

7.1.	Hold the outer joint housing horizontally to the shaft.

7.2.	Position a brass drift on the inner race.

7.3.	Strike the brass drift with a hammer to compress the axle shaft retaining clip.

7.4.	Continue to strike the brass drift in order to remove the outer joint from the axle shaft.




8. Remove and discard the narrow retaining ring from the outer narrow ring groove (2) at the end of the wheel drive shaft.
9. Remove and discard the wide spacer ring from the wide ring groove of the wheel drive shaft (1).



10. Remove the boot from the axle shaft.
11. Remove the wheel drive shaft from the vise.
12. Wrap a shop towel around the joint outer race splined shaft.
13. Place the outer race vertically in a bench vise.

Important: All traces of old grease and any contaminates must be removed.

14. Clean the following parts thoroughly with clean solvent:

•	The inner race

•	The outer race

•

The cage

•

The balls

•	The wheel drive shaft exposed end

15. Thoroughly air dry all of the parts.
16. Inspect the following parts for damage and/or wear:

•	The inner race

•	The outer race

•

The cage

•

The balls

•	The wheel drive shaft exposed end

1. Insert approximately 60 % of the grease from the service kit into the outer joint.

1.1.	Spread the grease onto the ball tracks, the balls, the cage, and the inner race.

1.2.	Spread the remainder of the grease into the bottom of the outer race.

2. Remove the inner joint from the bench vise.



3. Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
4. Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
5. Install a new small boot clamp onto the wheel drive shaft.
6. Install the boot onto the wheel drive shaft.



7. Install the new narrow retaining ring to the outer narrow ring groove (2) at the end of the wheel drive shaft.
8. Install the new wide spacer ring to the wide ring groove of the wheel drive shaft (1).



9. Position the outer joint horizontally.
10. Engage the inner race splines onto the wheel drive shaft splines.
11. Compress the axle shaft ring spacer.

11.1.

Press the end of the retaining ring, using a flat-bladed tool, into the wheel drive shaft groove while firmly pressing the inner joint onto the wheel drive shaft.

11.2.

Continue to work around the retaining ring, until it is compressed.





Important: The wheel drive shaft and inner race must be fully seated to each other.

12. Install the outer joint to the wheel drive shaft.

12.1.

Position a wood block over the end of the outer joint threaded shaft.

12.2.

Use a hammer to drive the outer joint onto the wheel drive shaft.

12.3.

Continue to drive the outer joint until the inner joint boots fully onto the wheel drive shaft.




13. Position the small boot clamp (2) into the boot groove.
14. Position the boot and small clamp to the wheel drive shaft boot groove (3) as shown.

Notice: Refer to Fastener Notice in the Preface section.





Important: The boot clamp must not be over-tightened or under-tightened.

15. Using the J 42572  (1), crimp the small boot clamp.

Tighten
Tighten the small boot clamp until the base has a gap of 1 mm (0.039 in).




16. Insert the remaining grease from the service kit into the boot.



17. Position the large boot clamp (1) onto the boot (2).
18. Position the boot and large clamp to the joint outer race (3) as shown.




Important: The boot must not be dimpled, stretched, or otherwise deformed.

19. Inspect the boot for proper shape.

If the boot is not shaped correctly, equalize the pressure in the seal by lifting the seal edge slightly and shape the boot properly by hand.

20. Inspect the boot for damage. If the boot has been damaged, replace the boot.

Important: The boot clamp must not be over-tightened or under-tightened.

21. Using the J 42572 , crimp the large boot clamp.

Tighten
Tighten the large boot clamp until the base has a gap of 1 mm (0.039 in).

22. Inspect the outer joint for smooth operation. This will also distribute the grease within the joint.

22.1.

Hold the wheel drive shaft vertically, with the outer joint at the bottom.

22.2.

Rotate the wheel drive shaft 4 or 5 times in a circular motion.

23. Install the wheel drive shaft. Refer to Rear Wheel Drive Shaft Replacement .