General information
Several different types of joints can be used to complete the drive shafts of the vehicles discussed in this Manual. The specific choice is determined by the engine displacement, transmission type, position of the joint on the shaft (inner or outer), and even the position of the shaft itself on the vehicle (right or left).
Before performing any type of maintenance on the joint (including replacing the protective cover), you should determine its design. First of all, you should pay attention to the identification number of the joint assembly - the number is usually applied to the large end surface of the joint, sometimes the marking can be stamped on the ends of the bandage tapes.
As mentioned above, the vehicles covered in this manual use several, namely three types of drive shaft joints: Birfield joints (BJ), tripod joints (TJ) and double compensation joints (DOJ).
Note: Birfield joints cannot be disassembled and, if they fail, are replaced as an assembly.
An important operational parameter of all types of hinges is the distance between the bandage fastenings of the protective cover - excessive stretching of the cover or its too loose fit can lead to the formation of cracks, loss of lubrication and the ingress of dirt and moisture into the hinge assembly.
Note: A special lubricant is used to fill the drive shaft joints, which is always supplied with the replacement covers.
Double offset joints (DOJ)
Removal
1. DOJ joints differ from others in their larger overall dimensions and are usually used as internal CV joints.
2. Remove the drive shaft from the vehicle (see Section Removal and installation drive shafts).
3. Assess the condition of the rubber protective cover.
4. Use side cutters to cut the metal bandage straps and remove the protective cover from the outer ring (housing) of the hinge.
5. Locate and remove the large retaining ring at the base of the ball joint assembly. Remove the outer race (housing) of the ball joint.
6. Remove the small retaining ring and remove the inner race assembly with the separator and balls. Thoroughly clean the removed unit without disassembling it.
7. If the condition of the protective cover is considered satisfactory and it can be used further, wipe the shaft journal and wrap the splined area with a protective layer of tape, then carefully remove the cover from the shaft.
8. If necessary, the protective cover of the outer BJ joint can also be removed at this stage.
Installation
1. Check the reliability of the shaft splines protection with tape.
2. Fill the protective cover of the hinge with special grease (usually the grease supplied with the new cover is divided into two equal parts, one of which is used to fill the cavities of the hinge, the second is pushed into the cover).
3. Place the joint separator on the shaft (with the smaller side of the separator forward). Lightly tapping the perimeter of the end surface with a hammer through a brass drift, carefully tap the inner race assembly until it rests against the special shoulders on the shaft journal. Filling the cavities of the components with grease, mate the race with the separator and insert the balls into the latter.
4. Also, having filled it with grease, install the outer race (housing) of the hinge.
5. Pull the protective cover over the hinge assembly housing (to equalize the pressure, pry the edge of the cover with a blunt instrument and release the air from underneath) and secure it with new bandage straps - make sure that the distance between the inner and outer straps complies with regulatory requirements.
6. Install the shaft on the vehicle (see Section Removal and installation drive shafts).
(The text of the article was obtained from the website: MitsubishiMan.ru)
Other hinges
Removal
1. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery.
If your car stereo system is equipped with a security code, make sure you have the correct combination to activate the audio system before disconnecting the battery!
2. Remove the drive shaft (see Section Removal and installation drive shafts).
3. Assess the condition of the rubber protective cover.
4. Use side cutters to cut the bandage straps and remove the protective cover from the hinge assembly housing.
5. Remove the retaining ring and remove the triode assembly crosspiece from the shaft journal.
Note: The tripod assembly cannot be disassembled and requires careful handling.
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6. If the condition of the protective boot is considered satisfactory and it is subject to further use, wipe the shaft journal and wrap the splined area with a protective layer of tape, then carefully remove the dynamic damper (if any) and rubber boot/boots from the shaft.
Installation
1. Check the reliability of the shaft splines protection with tape.
2. Carefully install the boot/boots and dynamic damper (if equipped) onto the shaft in the appropriate order.
3. Install the tripod assembly and secure it with the retaining ring.
4. Fill the internal cavities of the joint with special grease from the repair kit (use about half of the grease supply to fill the joint - the other half will go to filling the boot).
Try to avoid getting grease on the rubber elements of the dynamic damper assembly, if provided!
5. After filling the boot with the remaining grease, pull it over the hinge housing (to equalize the pressure, pry up the edge of the boot with a blunt tool and release the air from underneath it) and secure with bandage straps - make sure that the distance between the inner and outer straps complies with regulatory requirements.
6. Install the shaft on the vehicle (see Section Removal and installation drive shafts) and connect the negative cable to the battery.