Replacement of a cover of the hinge of constant angular speeds

When replacing the boot, it is necessary to inject the prescribed amount of grease into the joints.

1. Remove two bolts.

2. Remove the brake caliper from the guide

3. Secure the caliper with wire to the chassis. Do not hang the caliper by the hose.

4. Disconnect the steering knuckle from the upper and lower suspension arms and from the tie rod (see separate description).

5. Remove the cover clamp from the hinge body with a screwdriver.

6. Remove the cover by pulling it inward. Pay attention to the direction in which the end of the clamp is pointing.

7. Use a screwdriver to pry out the retaining ring from the groove inside the hinge housing.

8. Remove the shaft from the housing and hub. Do not damage the boot at the end of the shaft hub, as it must be reinstalled.

If necessary, the hinge can be disassembled further. However, this is quite a difficult job. Here is a brief description of it.

1. Thoroughly clean the inside of the hinge.

2. Remove the circlip at the end of the shaft from the pivot.

3. Partially remove the hinge.



4. Remove the balls shown in the illustration with a screwdriver.


5. Rotate the body half a ball.

6. Slide the separator towards the boot.

7. There is a retaining ring in front of the clip, which must be removed (with tongs).

8. Remove the cage and housing from the shaft.

9. Remove both covers by disconnecting the clamps. Pay attention to how the clamps are installed.

10. Thoroughly clean all parts.

11. Check hinges for wear. Replace worn parts.

12. Fill the outer hinge with special grease. Opel uses grease No. 19 41 52 for this.

13. Half fill the cavity of the boot with grease.

14. Secure the cover with a tie-down to the outer hinge. Make sure that the cover is not twisted and stands in its original place.

15. Attach the inner boot to the drive.



16. Assemble the separator and clip according to the illustration.

17. Insert the separator so that the smaller diameter points forward.

18. Fasten the clip with a retaining ring.

19. Set the holes for the balls in the separator and the grooves in the cage by turning the cage by half the diameter of the ball into one line.



20. Press all six balls in by hand in order, as shown.


21. Insert the drive shaft into the hub.

22. Secure the inner pivot with the circlip in the cage.

23. Turn the retaining ring so that its ends are between the two grooves in the cage.

26. Fill half of the boot with the grease mentioned above.

27. Put a cover on the hinge.

28. Insert a blunt screwdriver carefully under the edge of the case and purge air from the case.

29. Spread the cover and measure the distance between the ends. It should be 147.5 mm.

30. Secure the cover with clamps. Make sure that the ends of the clamps are in the same position.

31. Install the caliper, knuckle arm and tie rods as described in the relevant sections.