OEM 2003 Buick Rendezvous CV Joint

2003 Buick Rendezvous CV Joint Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to replace the rear CV joint and seal on 2003 Buick Rendezvous?

  A: Begin the replacement of the rear wheel drive shaft inner joint and seal with these necessary tools: Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J35566) alongside Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J42572). The required tools consist of Drive Axle Seal Clamp Pliers (J35566) together with Drive Shaft Seal Clamp Pliers (J42572). Use side cutters to remove a small seal clamp from the wheel drive shaft bar but discard it only after ensuring the wheel drive shaft trilobal tripot bushing remains intact. Cutting the large seal clamp from the tripot joint with side cutters this step concludes with its disposal. Set the wheel drive shaft inboard seal free from the trilobal tripot bushing while you guide the seal forward along the drive shaft bar. Dismantle first the wheel drive shaft bar then the tripot joint spider followed by the guide then the spring from their housing positions. Record the position of the tripot spider on the wheel drive shaft bar to sustain the required 60-degree angular relationship between the internal and external tripot spiders. With a brass drift as well as a hammer methodically strike the tripot spider face to compress the wheel drive shaft bar barrel retaining ring before removing the tripot spider along with the discarded barrel retaining ring. Check for damage in each wheel drive shaft inboard seal and inspect all tripot joint spider assembly components along with its housing and trilobal tripot bushing for wear. Position the new small seal clamp onto the small end of the joint seal. Next slide the clamp onto the wheel drive shaft bar until the small end fits into the joint seal groove. Use the J42572 tool to crimp the small seal retaining clamp onto the wheel drive shaft bar then tighten it to 136 Nm (100 ft. lbs.). Position the new barrel retaining ring correctly along the wheel drive shaft bar while maintaining a proper 60-degree offset alignment. When reassembling the machine position the reference mark on the tripot spider and wheel drive shaft bar so their axes overlap with the tripot spider's beveled edge facing the drive shaft bar. When installing the tripot spider press down on the barrel retaining ring through a flat-bladed tool to ensure a solid grip and test that the tripot spider remains fixed to the wheel drive shaft bar. Place half of the service kit grease into the wheel drive shaft inboard seal while leaving the rest to repack the housing. Check that the trilobal tripot bushing sits flush with the housing face before filling the bushing. After installing the spring into the tripot housing with grease from the housing, position the guide onto the spring. Next, install the trilobal tripot bushing into the housing. Mount the trilobal tripot bushing to the new housing then insert the large new seal retaining clamp onto the wheel drive shaft inboard seal while sliding the housing over the tripot joint spider assembly on the wheel drive shaft bar. Position the wheel drive shaft inboard seal with large clamp retaining it before sliding the large diameter over the trilobal tripot bushing. Verify the seal fits properly in the groove without damage to its lip. Examine the seal shape for accuracy before making adjustments if needed. Position the joint assembly at the correct vehicle dimension by properly lining up the wheel drive shaft inboard seal , tripot housing, and large seal retaining clamp before latching. You should use the J35566 to close the large seal retaining clamp by making sure both latching tangs slip deeply into the large seal clamp band. The inner tripot housing requires 4 or 5 rotations to distribute grease evenly in the tripot spider bearings.