DRIVE AXLE BOOT SEAL LEAK LOOSE CLAMP
MODELS/YEARS: 1985 FIRENZA, CALAIS, CUTLASS CIERA & NINETY-EIGHT
The 1985 front-wheel-drive Oldsmobiles use new thermoplastic 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. See Figure 1. 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 these conditions are encountered, 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 2 and 3 found on pages 4D-5 and 4D-6 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 appropriate seal service kit.
Re-assemble following procedure on 4D-5 and 4D-6 of the 1985 service manual. New torque specifications have been released for crimping the boot clamps. Note the new specifications in your service manual.
New toraue specificatons for boot clamp:
Clamp crimp torque on small end of boot is 136 N - m (100 lbs. ft.).
Clamp crim p torque on large end of boot is 176 N - m (130 lbs. ft.).
After crimping the axle shaft clamp to 136 N - m (100 lbs. ft.), inspect the clamp ears to verify that a gap still exist between the ears. See Figure 2. This is to ensure that complete clamp load is on the shaft/boot seal connection.
General Motors bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, not a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, do not assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See a General Motors dealer servicing your brand of General Motors vehicle for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.
