Drivetrain - New Drive Axle Boot Seal Replacement
85-1064D
JULY, 1985
Subject: DRIVE AXLE THERMOPLASTIC
BOOT SEAL SERVICE
Model and Year: 1985 CELEBRITY, CITATION AND CAVALIER
DRIVE AXLE BOOT CLAMP:
TO: ALL CHEVROLET DEALERS
The 1985 front-wheel drive Chevrolets use new drive axle boot seals. The new stiffer seals have six (6) convolutes while the 1984 seals have three
(3) convolutes. An exception is the use of silicone boot seals (3 convolutes) on the right hand inboard joint of some 1985 models. Boot seal replacement must be the same type as originally installed. The new seals are held in place by a strap type clamp of which proper installation requires the use of Kent-Moore Clamp tool number J-34773. This tool was shipped to all dealers as part of the 1985 Essential Tool Program. The tool requires the use of an 18" length half inch flex handle and a foot pound or metric torque wrench. If the clamp is not adequately tightened, grease could leak from the seal connection or water may intrude past the seal into the joint. This condition would be recognized by:
1. During normal servicing of vehicle, grease is found leaking from the axle shaft/boot seal connection.
2. Customer returns vehicle with complaint of:
A. Vibration
B. Clicking noise
C. Joint failure
If the condition is encountered, the service technician should remove the suspect drive axle assembly from the vehicle using recommended procedures found in Section 4D of the 1985 service manual and remove the seal and CV Joint following steps found on pages of that section.
Upon flushing the CV Joint of grease, both joint and axle shaft (in area protected by seal) should be inspected for a rusty appearance. If rust is found in CV Joint, both joint and seal should be replaced with a seal and CV Joint assembly service kit. If joint is free of rust and seal was leaking grease, remove any rust found on axle shaft (especially in area of seal clamping) with a hand wire brush and replace seal using the appro priate seal service kit.