Drive Axles: Disassembly

Clamp drive axle in vise. Using a brass drift, remove deflector ring from outer race. See Figure . Remove large and small boot clamps from CV joint. Slide boot down drive axle shaft and separate boot from outer race.
Wipe excess grease from face of inner race. Using Snap Ring Pliers (SA9198C ), spread ears on race retaining ring. Remove CV joint assembly from drive axle. Remove boot from drive axle. If drive axle dynamic damper is being replaced, press damper off drive axle shaft.
Using a brass drift, gently tap cage until tilted enough to remove first ball. See Fig 1 . Remove remaining balls in similar manner. With balls removed, pivot cage and inner race at 90 degrees to center line of outer race with cage windows aligned with lands of outer race. Lift out cage and inner race. Rotate inner race up and out of cage. Thoroughly wipe excess grease from all inner race joint components and allow to dry.
Remove large and small boot clamps from tripod joint. Remove retaining ring. Slide boot down drive axle shaft and separate boot from tripod joint housing. See Figure . Wipe excess grease from tripod joint and interior of tripod joint housing. Remove tripod joint housing from drive axle.
Using snap ring pliers, spread spacer ring. Slide spacer ring and tripod joint down drive axle shaft. Remove shaft retaining ring from groove on drive axle shaft. Remove tripod joint from drive axle. Remove boot from drive axle. Thoroughly wipe excess grease from tripod joint housing and allow to dry.

Fig 1: Removing & Disassembling CV Joint Inner Race
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.