front-wheel-drive (transaxle and cv joint) service

© 2012 Delmar, Cengage Learning

Front-Wheel-Drive (Transaxle and CV Joint) Service

Chapter 78


Objectives• Diagnose CV joint problems• Service CV joints• Replace CV joint boots• Disassemble and repair transaxles


Introduction• Removal, service, and replacement of front

drive axles and constant velocity (CV) joint– Lucrative service area

• Transaxle removal – Relatively straightforward

• Once axle removal is accomplished


Transaxle and Front-Wheel-Drive Service and Repair

• Checks of the axle assemblies – Some can be made with the axle on the car


Leaking CV Joint Boot• Front-wheel-drive axles

– Require service as a vehicle ages– Some checks and services can be made with

axle on vehicle• Others require removal and disassembly of

components


CV Joint Boot Service• Boots age over time

– Repeated flexing and exposure to elements• Boot fails

– Grease leaks out– If not replaced: entire joint will fail– Most common problem with CV joints

• Replacement boot kits– Come with new clamps and correct amount of

high pressure grease


Axle Inspection and Diagnosis• Check halfshaft for obvious looseness

– Noises can be detected from the test drive– Weight must be on the suspension when

checking for a noise• Questions to ask customer:

– What does the noise sound like?– Does it occur during acceleration, deceleration,

or when turning?


CV Joint Diagnosis• Clicking sound during a turn

– Indicates bad outboard joint– Always check the splines on a shaft

• Bad plunge joint makes clunking sound– Starting from a stop– During deceleration– Braking

• Excess wear – Hard to detect visually


Axle Shaft Removal• Major steps

– Loosen axle nut– Remove the stub shaft from the hub– Remove the stub shaft– Remove the axle– Remove snap rings and clips– Remove boot


CV Joint Replacement• Internal circlip

– Common way of retaining a fixed joint to shaft– Called knock-off-type joint– Different version used in some Japanese

vehicles• CV joint has been removed from axle

– Boot is removed• Fixed Rzeppa joints

– Held to their shafts by external snap ring or internal clip


Fixed Joint Disassembly and Inspection

• Major steps– Use drift punch to move inner race to the side for

a more complete inspection• Wipe the parts off and look for wear

– Disassemble Rzeppa joint• Mark all major components• Remove the balls• Wipe and lightly grease

– Install the boot and joint


CV Joint Boot Clamps• Several types

– Universal clamp– Bridge-type clamp– Earless clamp– Pressed-fit ring

• Installing small-end clamp– Pull big end of the boot over CV joint and install

retaining clamp– Vent the small end of the boot


Servicing an Inner Tripod Joint• Major steps

– Before removing: tape shaft and joint– Cut away the clamps and boot– Check to see if tripod rollers come off of spider– Inspect condition of inside tulip– Align any marks– After boot and tripod are reinstalled: grease

rollers and fill boot with rest of grease


Double Offset Plunge Joints• Vary in how they are connected to axle shaft

– Most held by internal circlip• Joint must be disassembled before it can be

removed– Other kind has a circlip that can be removed by

pounding on outer housing• Metal retaining ring holds parts in the housing


Cross Groove Joint Serviceand Rebuilt Halfshafts

• Key points– Cross groove joint is serviced in similar manner

to Rzeppa joints• Disassembled by turning inner race and cage

perpendicular to outer cage and removing them– Complete rebuilt halfshaft is a popular repair

• Installing rebuilt halfshafts is often in the best interest of the customer


Installing the Axle• Major steps

– To install a spline-type joint into transaxle: push in on axle while turning it to align splines

– After inner end is installed: position stub shaft into hub as far as it can go

– Do not forget to torque ball joint stud bolt– When vehicle is back on ground: torque new

stub shaft nut– Check clearance of boot clamps before test-

driving


Transaxle Repair and Removal• Key points

– Transaxles used with transverse engines• Differential gears are helical gears• No pinion depth or backlash adjustments

– Front-wheel-drive vehicles • Easier to pull engine with transaxle• Support the engine if it is easier to leave it in the

vehicle • Unbolt transaxle from engine• Axles are pulled in manner previously described


Manual Transaxle Repair• Key points

– Separate halves of case on a transaxle– Check service manual for any specifics– Service and assembly are similar to RWD

transmissions– End play of gears is checked with feeler gauge

or dial indicator– Thrust washers, shims, or snap rings can be

used to make adjustments


Automatic Transaxle Repair• Automatic transaxle repair

– Same as RWD automatic transmissions• Differences

– Gar or a chain is driven by transmission output shaft to turn differential section

– Automatic transaxles have a differential


Transaxle Differential Side Bearing Adjustment

• Case halves are reassembled– Differential side

bearing preload is adjusted

• Some use special tools


Install the Transaxle• Installation of transaxle is the reverse of

removal sequence– After installation: be sure to check transaxle

lubricant level• Some have a fill plug on the side• Some have a dipstick• Others require removal of speedometer gear

front-wheel-drive (transaxle and cv joint) service

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