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OVERHAUL

Engine size, transaxle type, whether the joint is an inboard or outboard joint, even which side of the vehicle is being serviced could make a difference in joint type. Be sure to properly identify the joint before attempting joint or boot replacement. Look for identification numbers at the large end of the boots and/or on the end of the metal retainer bands.

The 2 types of joints used are the Birfield Joint, (B.J.) and the Tripod Joint (T.J.). Special grease and clamps are used with these joints and is normally supplied with the replacement joint and/or boot kit. Do not use regular chassis grease.

Correct installation of the CV-boot is essential for its longevity. A specification is given for the distance between the large and small boot bands. This is so the boot will not be installed either too loose or too tight, which could cause early wear and cracking, allowing the grease to get out and water and dirt in, leading to early joint failure.

FWD Vehicle
1990–94 VEHICLES

Both of the halfshaft boots are going to be removed from the T.J. case side of the halfshaft.

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
  2. Remove the T.J. boot bands from the boot. Side cutter pliers can be used to cut off the metal retaining bands. Remove the T.J. case from the halfshaft.
  3. Remove the snapring next to the tripod joint spider assembly from the halfshaft with snapring pliers. Remove the spider assembly from the shaft.

    NOTE: Do not disassemble the spider and use care in handling.

  4. If the boot is be reused, wrap vinyl tape around the spline part of the shaft so the boot will not be damaged when removed. Remove the dynamic damper, if used, and boots from the shaft.

    Fig. 1: Set the boot so the bands are at correct distance

    Fig. 2: Exploded view of front halfshaft

    To install:

  5. Double check that the correct replacement parts are being installed. Wrap vinyl tape around the splines to protect the boot and install the boots and damper, if used, in the correct order.
  6. Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease. Often the grease supplied in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half being used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot. Keep grease off the rubber part of the dynamic damper (if used).
  7. Secure the boot bands with the halfshaft in a horizontal position. Make sure the boot span on the halfshaft is 3.23–3.47 in. (82–88mm) in length.
  8. Install halfshaft into vehicle.
1995–98 VEHICLES
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
  3. Remove the large and small T.J. boot bands. You can use a pair of side cutters or a prytool to remove the bands.
  4. Remove the T.J. case from the B.J. assembly, then wipe the grease from inside of the T.J. case.
  5. Remove the retaining circlip.
  6. Use a pair of snapring pliers to remove the snapring from the driveshaft, then carefully take the spider assembly out of the driveshaft. Clean the spider but be careful not to damage it, and do not disassemble it.
  7. Wipe the grease from the splines, then remove the T.J. boot. If the boot is going to be reused, wrap plastic tape around the driveshaft spline so the boot is not damaged when it is removed.
  8. Unfasten the damper band, then remove the dynamic damper.
  9. Remove the B.J. assembly.
  10. Use a prytool to remove the small and large bands from the B.J. boots, then remove the B.J. boot.

    NOTE: Do not disassemble the B.J. assembly, except the replacement of the B.J. boot.

    Fig. 3: Exploded view of the halfshaft assembly — 1995–98 FWD vehicles

    To install:

  11. Install the B.J. boot large and small boot bands, as follows:
    1. Wrap plastic tape around the spline part on the driveshaft, then install small B.J. boot band and B.J. boot.
    2. Install the smaller side of the B.J. boot band so that one shaft groove can be seen.
    3. Turn the adjusting bolt of the boot band crimper tool to adjust the opening dimension to the standard value of 0.114 in. (2.9mm). When more than 0.114 in. (2.9mm) screw in the adjusting bolt, when less that 0.114 in. (2.9mm), loosen the adjusting bolt less that one full turn.
    4. Place the small boot band along the protruding portion, and install it so that there is some clearance (A) along the other side. Hold the driveshaft perpendicularly, then use a suitable boot band crimping tool to crimp the small boot band until the tool touches the stopper.

      Fig. 4: Install the small boot so there is some clearance (A), as shown

    5. Check that the crimped width is within 0.094–0.110 in. (2.4–2.8mm).
    6. Check that the B.J. boot band is secured correctly. If not, repeat the last 3 steps.
    7. Apply the proper amount of grease the boot. For 2.0L non-turbo engines, the proper amount is 3.88 oz. (110 g) and for 2.0K turbo and 2.4L engines, the proper amount is 4.59 ox. (130 g).
    8. Install the B.J. boot to adjust the clearance (C) between the B.J. boot end and the stepped phase of the B.J. housing is within 0.004–0.061 in. (0.1–1.55mm).

      Fig. 5: Install the boot to adjust the clearance between the boot end and the stepped part of the housing

    9. Adjust the opening dimension (W) to the standard value, which is 0.126 in. ( 3.2mm).
    10. Place the large B.J. boot band along the protruding part, then install it so there is some clearance along the other side. Use a boot band crimping tool to properly crimp the large band.

      Fig. 6: Once the large B.J. boot band is installed, there should be some clearance as shown

    11. Check that the crimped width is between 0.094–0.110 in. (2.4–2.8mm). Make sure the boot band is secured properly. If not, repeat the last 3 steps.
  12. Install the B.J. assembly.
  13. Install the dynamic damper assembly, and compare with the specifications shown in the accompanying figure. Install the damper band.

    Fig. 7: Install the dynamic damper as shown, making sure the proper specifications are met

  14. Install the T.J. boot.

    NOTE: The grease supplied in the repair kit should be equally divided in half for use at the joint and inside the boot.

  15. Install the spider assembly to the shaft from the direction of the spline beveled section. After applying the proper amount of grease to the T.J. case , insert the driveshaft, then apply grease once again. The grease specifications are:
    1. 2.0L non-turbo engines: 3.70 oz. (105 g).
    2. 2.0L turbo and 2.4L engines: 4.23 oz. (120 g).
  16. Install the retaining snapring and circlip.
  17. Install the T.J. boot bands by setting the boot bands at the specified distance in order to adjust the amount of air inside the boot, then tighten the bands securely. The standard value is 3.03–3.27 in. (77–83 mm).
  18. Install the halfshaft in the vehicle, as outlined earlier.
  19. Connect the negative battery cable.
AWD Vehicle
1990–94 VEHICLES
  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
  2. Remove the T.J. large and small boot bands. Remove the T.J. case from inner shaft assembly.
  3. Remove the snapring next to the tripod joint spider assembly from the halfshaft with snapring pliers. Remove the spider assembly from the shaft.

    NOTE: Do not disassemble the spider and use care in handling.

  4. If the boot is be reused, wrap vinyl tape around the spline part of the shaft so the boot will not be damaged when removed.
  5. Remove the inner and the outer dust seals from the center support bearing assembly. Remove the center bearing from the shaft.
  6. Remove the inner shaft assembly, together with the seal plate, from the T.J. case. Using puller tool, remove the inner shaft from the center bearing bracket.

    Fig. 8: Exploded view of the front halfshaft and related components — 1990–94 FWD vehicle

    Fig. 9: Use a suitable jawed puller tool to remove the inner shaft from the center bearing bracket

    To install:

  7. Apply multi-purpose grease to the center bearing and inside the center bearing bracket. Using proper size driver, press fit the center bearing into the center bearing bracket.
  8. Apply multi-purpose grease to the rear surfaces of both dust seals and install. Use a pipe to hold the inner race of the center bearing and force the inner shaft into place.
  9. Install the boots in place. Apply grease to the inner shaft splines, then press fit it into the T.J. case. Press the seal plate into the T.J. case.
  10. Fill the join and the boot with the specified grease, enclosed in the repair kit. Divide the grease in half between the joint and the boot. Keep grease off the rubber part of the dynamic damper (if used).
  11. Secure the boot bands with the halfshaft in a horizontal position. Make sure the boot span on the halfshaft is 3.23–3.47 in. (82–88mm) in length.
  12. Install halfshaft into vehicle.
1995–98 VEHICLES

Fig. 10: Exploded view of the left-side halfshaft assembly — 1995–98 AWD vehicles

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
  3. Remove the large and small T.J. boot bands. You can use a pair of side cutters or a prytool to remove the bands.
  4. Remove the T.J. case and inner shaft assembly (if equipped).
  5. Remove the T.J. case from the B.J. assembly, then wipe the grease from inside of the T.J. case.
  6. Remove the seal plate.
  7. With the inner shaft in a soft-jawed vise, use a suitable inner shaft removal tool, to remove the inner shaft, along with the seal plate, from the T.J. case. Remove the inner shaft from the bracket using a jawed puller.

    Fig. 11: Use a inner shaft removal tool to remove the inner shaft and seal plate from the T.J. case

  8. Remove the bracket assembly.
  9. Remove the outer and inner dust seals.
  10. Remove the center bearing using the special tools shown in the accompanying figure.

    Fig. 12: There is a special plate and adapter tool necessary to remove and install the center bearing

  11. Rem,ove the center bearing bracket.
  12. Remove the retaining circlip.
  13. Use snapring pliers to remove the snapring from the driveshaft, then take the spider assembly from the driveshaft. Carefully clean the spider, being careful damage or disassemble the driveshaft.
  14. Wipe the grease from the splines, then remove the T.J. boot. If the boot is going to be reused, wrap plastic tape around the driveshaft spline so the boot is not damaged when it is removed.
  15. Remove the B.J. assembly.
  16. Use a prytool to remove the small and large bands from the B.J. boots, then remove the B.J. boot.

    NOTE: Do not disassemble the B.J. assembly, except the replacement of the B.J. boot.

    To install:

  17. Install the B.J. boot, and large and small boot bands, as follows:
    1. Wrap plastic tape around the spline part on the driveshaft, then install small B.J. boot band and B.J. boot.
    2. Install the smaller side of the B.J. boot band so that one shaft groove can be seen.
    3. Turn the adjusting bolt of the boot band crimper tool to adjust the opening dimension to the standard value of 0.114 in. (2.9mm). When more than 0.114 in. (2.9mm) screw in the adjusting bolt, when less that 0.114 in. (2.9mm), loosen the adjusting bolt less that one full turn.
    4. Place the small boot band along the protruding portion, and install it so that there is some clearance (A) along the other side. Hold the driveshaft perpendicularly, then use a suitable boot band crimping tool to crimp the small boot band until the tool touches the stopper.
    5. Check that the crimped width is within 0.094–0.110 in. (2.4–2.8mm).
    6. Check that the B.J. boot band is secured correctly. If not, repeat the last 3 steps.
    7. Install the repair kit grease, 3.35 oz. (95 g) to the boot. Install the B.J. boot to adjust the clearance between the boot end and the stepped phase of the housing within 0.004–0.061 in. (0.10–1.55mm).
    8. Adjust the opening dimension (W) to 0.126 in. (3.2mm).
    9. Place the large B.J. boot band along the protruding part, then install it so there is some clearance along the other side. Use a boot band crimping tool to properly crimp the large band.
    10. Check that the crimped width is between 0.094–0.110 in. (2.4–2.8mm). Make sure the boot band is secured properly. If not, repeat the last 3 steps.
  18. Install the B.J. assembly.
  19. Install the T.J. boot.
  20. Install the spider assembly to the shaft from the direction of the splined beveled section.
  21. Use the special tools to install the center bearing. Install the center bearing bracket.
  22. Install the dust seals as follows:
    1. Apply a multi-purpose grease to the rear surfaces of the inner and outer dust seals. For the inner seal, apply 0.25–0.35 oz. (7–10 g) and for the outer seal, apply 0.14–0.21 oz. (4–6 g) or grease.
    2. Use a seal adapter and press assembly to install the dust seal so that its surface is even with the center bearing bracket.
    3. Apply the grease to the lip of each dust seal, but when applying the grease, make sure it doesn't get on anything outside the lip.
  23. Install the bracket assembly.
  24. Use a proper sized adapter to install the inner shaft.
  25. Install the seal plate and T.J. case.
  26. Install the T.J. case and inner shaft, as follows:
    1. Apply multi-purpose grease to the inner shaft spline then press fit the shaft into the T.J. case.

      Fig. 13: After applying suitable grease, press fit the inner shaft into the T.J. case

    2. Use an inner shaft removal tool to support the T.J. case, then use a 1.18 in. (30mm) diameter pipe to press the seal plate into the T.J. case.

      Fig. 14: Hold the case with the shaft removal tool, then use pipe to press the seal plate into the case

    3. Fill the T.J. case with 3.70 oz. (105 g) or the grease supplied in the repair kit. The grease should be divided in half for use at the joint and inside the boot.
  27. Install the small and large T.J. boots, as follows:
    1. Set the boot bands at the proper distance to adjust the amount of air inside the boot, then tighten the boot band securely. The standard value is 3.03–3.27 in. (77–83mm).
  28. Install the halfshaft in the vehicle.

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