Replacing the Outer Vehicle Constant Velocity Joint - Assignment Example

The removal and replacement of the outer CV joint involve a number of steps and processes, with a wide range of tools and equipment’s involved. Step 1: Jacking and Removal of the wheel. Jack the vehicle off the ground by use of a jack, either scissor jack, bottle jack or trolley jack. This will create a clearance between the vehicle and the ground, giving the mechanic a working space. Remove the wheel by use of a wrench. And using a spanner, remove the axle nut. This is a large nut on the outside of the hub.

Step 2: Remove the lower control arm. The removal of the lower control arm from the ball joint and the hub assembly will enable the removal of the bolt from the shock and upper control arm. The tapping will facilitate the slipping out of the CV joint through the back. The axle nut should be put back halfway during this process to avoid damaging of the threads. Step 3: Remove the axle. The axle is now held by the inner CV joint. To remove it, you need to tap from behind. This will pry it out from the differential and it will pop out from the ‘C’ clip holding it.

Step 4: Remove the ball bearings. Put the CV axle in a vise by the shaft close to the inner CV or the U-Joint. Cut the boot clamps and make sure that your CV joint is not held by on by a clip that you can see on the shaft under the boot. If there is no clip, you will want to tap lightly on the outer CV joint and then give a few good hits to knock it off the shaft. The tools involved in this are 5 lb Sledge and hammer. Make sure you wear protective glasses since the grease may fly. If it does not come out, put the axle in a vise and try again.

If this goes in vain, use the hammer and break the cage to remove the ball bearings. This will expose the race, and then press the race off the shaft using the punch hammer. Cut the race in the direction of the splines on the shaft so that it does not affect the new joint going into the splines (Gilles, 2004). Step 5: Cleaning the Shaft. Cut away the old boot and clamps and clean shaft with Break clean. Step 6: Replacing the Boot. Put on the new boot and slide it to the inner out of the way.

Fill the CV joint with grease, and a little of it on the ‘C’ clip. Line the outer CV joint with the splines of the shaft and place the axle nut on the threads halfway to avoid damaging the threads. Step 7: Greasing the joint. Grease the top of the joint and slide the boot down the clamp, the larger clamp first. Remove any trapped air between the boot and the shaft by moving a screwdriver in between. Step 8: Installation of the Axle. The axle is now ready for installation. Use the removal procedure but this time, in the reverse way (Gilles, 2004).