Power is transmitted from the gearbox to the wheels through a pair of driveaxles. The inner end of each driveaxle is splined to the differential. The outer ends of the driveaxles are splined to the axle hubs and locked in place by an axle nut. The inner ends of the driveaxles are equipped with sliding Constant Velocity (CV) joints, which are capable of both angular and axial motion. Each inner joint assembly consists of an inner race, ball bearing and cage assembly and an outer race (housing) in which the inner bearing assembly is free to slide in and out as the driveaxle moves up and down with the wheel. The inner joints are rebuildable.
Each outer joint, which consists of ball bearings running between an inner race and an outer cage, is capable of angular but not axial movement. The outer joints are neither rebuildable nor removable. Should one of them fail, a new driveaxle/outboard joint assembly must be installed. The boots should be periodically inspected for damage, leaking lubricant and cuts. Damaged CV joint boots must be replaced immediately or the joints can be damaged. Boot replacement involves removal of the driveaxle. Note: Some Auto parts stores carry 'split' type replacement boots, which can be installed without removing the driveaxle from the vehicle. This is a convenient alternative; however, it's recommended that the driveaxle be removed and the CV joint disassembled and cleaned to ensure that the joint is free from contaminants such as moisture and dirt, which will accelerate CV joint wear.
The most common symptom of worn or damaged CV joints, besides lubricant leaks, is a clicking noise in turns, a clunk when accelerating from a coasting condition or vibration at highway speeds. To check for wear in the CV joints and driveaxle shafts, grasp each axle (one at a time) and rotate it in both directions while holding the CV joint housings, inspecting for movement, indicating worn splines or sloppy CV joints. Also check the driveaxle shafts for cracks, dents, twisting and bending.

Driveaxles - Removal and Installation
Removal:
1. Set the handbrake, remove the wheel cover (centre cap) and loosen the driveaxle hub nut. Loosen the wheel lug nuts, raise the front of the vehicle and support it securely on jackstands. Remove the front wheel.
2. Remove the driveaxle hub nut. To prevent the hub from turning, brace a screwdriver across two of the wheel studs, then remove the nut.
3. Remove the two bolts and separate the lower arm from the ballpoint or separate the ballpoint from the steering knuckle.
4. Push the driveaxle from the hub with a puller (if it's stuck), then pull out on the steering knuckle and remove the outer end from the hub splines.
5. Carefully pry the inner end of the axle from the transmission, using a large prybar positioned between the transmission housing and the CV joint housing.
6. Support the CV joints and carefully remove the driveaxle from the vehicle.

Installation:
1. Pry the old circlip from the inner end of the driveaxle and install a new one. Lubricate the differential seal with multipurpose grease, raise the driveaxle into position while supporting the CV joints and insert the splined end of the inner CV joint into the differential side gear. Seat the shaft into the side gear by pushing firmly on the driveaxle.
2. Apply a light coat of multipurpose grease to the outer CV joint splines, pull out on the strut/steering knuckle assembly and install a new stub axle in the hub.
3. Connect the ball-joint to the lower arm or the steering knuckle.
4. Install the hub nut using a new large washer underneath it. Lock the disc so that it cannot turn and tighten the hub nut securely.
5. Grasp the inner CV joint housing (not the driveaxle) and pull out to make sure that the axle has seated securely in the transmission.
6. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle.
7. Tighten the hub nut to the proper torque specification and install the wheel cover (centre cap).

Driveaxle Boot Replacement and CV Joint Overhaul
Inner CV Joint and Boot
Disassembly
1. Remove the driveaxle from the vehicle.
2. Mount the driveaxle in the vise. The jaws of the vise should be lined with wood or rags to prevent damage to the axleshaft.
3. Pry the boot clamp retaining tabs up with a small screwdriver and slide the clamps off the boot.
4. Slide the boot back on the axleshaft and pry the wire ring ball retainer from the outer race.
5. Slide the outer race off the inner bearing assembly.
6. Remove the snap-ring from the groove in the axleshaft with a pair of snap-ring pliers.
7. Mark the inner race and cage to be sure they are reassembled with the correct sides facing out.
8. Slide the inner bearing assembly off the axleshaft.
9. Using a screwdriver or piece of wood, pry the balls from the cage. Be careful not to scratch the inner race, the balls or the cage. Note: If the inner bearing assembly does not disassemble easily, do not disassemble it. Clean and re-grease it as an assembly.
10. Align the inner race lands with the cage windows and pull the race out of the cage.
11. Clean the components with solvent to remove all traces of grease. Inspect the cage and races for pitting, score marks, cracks and other signs of wear and damage. Shiny polished spots are normal and will not adversely affect CV joint performance.

Reassembly
1. Insert the inner race into the cage. Verify that the match-marks are on the same side. However, it's not necessary for them to be in direct alignment with each other.
2. Press the balls into the cage windows with your thumbs.
3. Wrap the axleshaft splines with tape to avoid damaging the boot. Slide the small boot clamp and boot onto the axleshaft, then remove the tape.
4. Install the inner race and cage assembly on the axleshaft with the larger diameter side or 'bulge' of the cage (and the previously applied marks) facing the axleshaft end.
5. Install the snap-ring in the groove. Make sure it's completely seated by pushing on the inner race and cage assembly.
6. Using the CV joint grease included with the new boot kit, pack the inner race and cage assembly with grease, by hand, until grease is worked completely into the assembly. Fill the outer race and boot with the remainder of the grease supplied.
7. Slide the outer race down onto the inner race and install the wire ring retainer.
8. Wipe any excess grease from the axle boot groove on the outer race. Seat the small diameter of the boot in the recessed area on the axleshaft. Push the other end of the boot onto the outer race and move the race in or out to adjust the joint to the proper length.
9. With the axle set to the proper length, equalize the pressure in the boot by inserting a dull screwdriver between the boot and the outer race. Don't damage the boot with the tool.
10. Install the boot clamps.
11. Install a new circlip on the inner CV joint stub axle.
12. Install the driveaxle.

Tri-pot Joint Type (TJ)
1. Cut off the boot bands and slide the boot towards the centre of the driveaxle. Mark the tri-pot housing and driveaxle so they can be reinstalled in the same relative positions, the slide the housing off the axle.
2. Use tape or a cloth wrapped around the spider bearing assembly to retain the bearings during removal and installation.
3. Remove the spider assembly from the axle by removing the snap-ring on the end of the axle and sliding the spider assembly off the driveaxle.
4. Slide the boot off the axle.
5. Clean all the old grease out of the housing and spider assembly. Carefully dismantle each section of the spider assembly, one at a time, and clean the needle bearings with solvent. Inspect the rollers, spider cross, bearings and housing for scoring, pitting and other signs of abnormal wear. Apply a coat of CV joint grease to the inner bearing surfaces to hold the needle bearings in place when reassembling the spider assembly.
6. Wrap the driveaxle splines with tape to avoid damaging the boot, then slide the small clamp and the boot onto the axle.
7. Pack the housing with half of the grease furnished with the new boot and place the remainder in the boot.
8. Install the spider bearing.
9. Install the tri-pot housing.
10. Seat the boot in the housing and axle seal grooves, then adjust the length of the joint. Install the boot bands, then install the driveaxle.

Outer CV Joint and Boot
Disassembly:
1. Remove the inner CV joint from the axleshaft and disassemble it.
2. If the left driveaxle outer CV joint is being serviced, mark the relationship to the dynamic damper to the axle. Pry open the dynamic damper clamp and slide off the axleshaft.
3. Remove the outer CV joint boot clamps. Slide the boot off the axleshaft.

Inspection:
1. Thoroughly wash the inner and outer CV joints in clean solvent and blow them dry with compressed air, if available. Note: Because the outer joint cannot be disassembled, it is difficult to wash away all the old grease and to rid the bearing of solvent once it's clean. But it is imperative that the job be done thoroughly, so take your time and do it right.
2. Bend the outer CV joint housing at an angle to the driveaxle to expose the bearings, inner race and cage. Inspect the bearing surfaces for signs of wear. If the bearings are damaged or worn, replace the driveaxle.

Reassembly:
1. Slide the new outer boot onto the driveaxle. It's a good idea to wrap vinyl tape around the spline of the shaft to prevent damage to the boot. Using the CV joint grease included with a new boot kit, pack the joint with as much grease as it will hold and put the rest into the boot. Slide the boot on the rest of the way and install the new clamps.
2. If you are overhauling the left driveaxle, install the dynamic damper using the mark made during disassembly. Attach the damper clamp.
3. Proceed to clean and reassemble the inner CV joint, then install the driveaxle.

All done!

BOOSTU.