Workshop Tips

Trust the original

GKN Driveline is the world’s

leading automotive driveline technology and
systems engineer. With its brand LÖBRO GKN Driveline
provides original GKN parts to the worldwide independent
aftermarket.

All driveshafts are geared to the particular demands

of the vehicle.

GKN joint kits contain all the individual parts needed for
professional repairs: joint, boot, clamps, tightening straps,
bolts, nuts, spacers, etc.

GKN boots are specifically

developed for the various
joints. Their accurate
fit guarantees optimum
sealing and maximum wear
resistance.

Test drive
While cornering pay attention to noises:

typical knocking when going round corners caused by the

drifting of the balls over a pit worn in the joint

grinding noises may be the result of there being too much

rotational play between the joint and the section tube
 Safety on board:
How to identify driveshaft damages

Driveshafts and constant velocity (CV) joints are bespoke

components in modern cars for which high quality is critical. They
transfer torque from the differential to the wheel and are therefore
constantly subjected to extremely high stresses when the vehicle is in
operation. As a result age-related wear is among the most commonly
occurring causes of damage to the outboard (wheel side) and inboard
(transmission side) joints, closely followed by damage resulting from
defective boots, the use of inferior quality grease, and unfortunately,
improper handling frequently occurring during installation and
removal.

Since it is inherently difficult for repair

shop customers to identify problems
with driveshafts or to describe these
problems accurately, repair shops have
much to gain in terms of maximizing
customer satisfaction by recognizing
damage to the driveshaft early on and
informing the customer.

However, how can damage to driveshafts and CV joints be detected

with certainty and without error?

Test drive
Pay attention to vibrations in the steering wheel:

vibrations intensifying with increasing speed can be

caused by excessive play in the joints or a bent shaft
Driveshaft inspection

Driveshaft inspection should be performed as part of a regular

maintenance routine.

Normal vehicle maintenance and recognition of component

discrepancies is necessary to prevent serious mechanical
problems as well as driver discomfort. Failure to perform normal
maintenance may also void the vehicle warranty.

Routine inspection steps for built-in driveshafts

Check the driveshaft for a tight fit

Check cleanness of the driveshaft (no grease contamination)

Check the shaft for damage and for bent or missing parts

Check the boots and clamps: torn, slipped and porous boots
are the most frequent cause of failures

Check the slip spline for excessive radial movement

Check the joints for excessive radial looseness

Fixed joints: Check the joints in all possible steering angles

 DANGER!
Rotating shafts can be dangerous. You can jam
clothes, skin, hair, hands, etc.
This can cause serious injury or death. In no
circumstances you should be under the vehicle
when the engine is running!

Routine inspection steps for removed but not

dismounted shafts
Place profile tube in a vice
(ATTENTION: use aluminium jaw!)

Imitate the fixed joint’s rotation. The joint must be

movable smoothly without any bucking

The fixed joint must have no excess radial movement

Please note that fault recognition can only

be complete if the driveshaft is checked in the
dismounted state.
Dismount both driveshaft and joints

Clean all parts thoroughly

Check each part separately

Repair tip! Compare materials

Before assembling compare the replacement driveshaft and the joint
carefully.
Check the part numbers of all products and pay attention especially
on the diameter of the shaft, internal and external gearing. Make sure
the delivered joint has the right bending angle.
Start greasing only when you are sure you have chosen the right joint.
Installation guidelines 1
Driveshaft with disc connection (front wheel drive)

1
Disassembly

Raise the car on a lift up to working level.

Remove the wheel.

Block the brakes.

Loosen the bolts on both sides of the
driveshaft.

Unscrew the bolts from the differential

side joint. Then remove drive shaft nut.

Loosen wheel carrier.

 ATTENTION!
Always take care of your own safety and
the safety of others. Please work safely and
wear safety equipment. Injuries such as
cutting or bruising are possible.

Pull driveshaft out of the wheel hub. If

required use special tools recommended
by the car manufacturer.

6
Pull out driveshaft.

For driveshafts with integrated transmission

journal: Pull driveshaft with reinforcing rod
out of the gearbox housing.

ATTENTION! Oil drains!

7
Assembly

Clean wheel hub housing and differential

flange surface. Surface must be free of dirt.

Centre joint on differential flange.

Driveshafts with reinforcing rod must be

inserted in gearbox housing until the lock.
Gearboxes with a lock ring at the gearbox
dependent: the lockring has to be engaged.

Continued on the next page

Continuation installation guidelines 1
Driveshaft with disc connection (front wheel drive)

Tighten bolts. Consider torque specified by

the manufacturer.

ATTENTION!
10 Always remember to use all parts provided!
Use special tools recommended by the car
manufacturer.

Insert driveshaft into wheel hub. Check

after engagement strong seating by pulling
the joint.

11

Tighten wheel carrier. Use new bolts and

secure. Consider security measures of the
manufacturer.

ATTENTION:
Only a new nut should be used!
12

Apply washer on outer threat. Apply

and torque driveshaft nut according to
instruction of the car manufacturer.

Mount the wheel and make a test drive.

Workshop tools - the range

190130. Threaded bolts with thread sizes of

M14x1.5 and M16x1.5 for simple removal of the
joints from the profile shaft. The thread of the bolt
forces the joint off the profile shaft.

190131.Can be used for all external circlips to

DIN 471.

190132. Specifically for driveshafts on constant

velocity joints, engines and gearboxes. The centring
bore in the tip reliably secures the circlip and
prevents it jumping off.

190134. For tightening stainless-steel clips on

driveshafts, ensuring compliance with the torques
specified by the manufacturer (between 23 and
30 Nm, depending on manufacturer). Without the
leverage, the high-strength stainless-steel clips
cannot be reliably tightened and the boots could
leak.

190135. IIdeal for tightening the pipe clips on

joint boots, radiator and fuel hoses. The hold-down
device reliably prevents unintentional opening of
the clips after tightening.

190250. Joint puller for the simple removal of

constant-velocity joints with hidden safeguards.
Installation guidelines 2
Driveshaft with disc connection (rear wheel drive)

1
Disassembly

Raise the car on a lift upon working level.

Remove the wheel.

Block the brakes.

Loosen the bolts on both sides of the
driveshaft.

Unscrew the bolts from the differential

side joint. Then remove drive shaft nut.

Remove joint from flange.

 ATTENTION!
Always take care of your own safety and
the safety of others. Please work safely and
wear safety equipment. Injuries such as
cutting or bruising are possible.

Remove driveshaft joint. If required use

special tools recommended by the car
manufacturer.

Pull driveshaft out of the wheel hub.

Clean wheel hub housing and differential
flange surface.

7
Assembly

Insert driveshaft into wheel hub.

Tighten driveshaft joint into wheel hub

housing. If necessary use special tools
recommended by the car manufacturer.

Continued on the next page

Continuation installation guidelines 2
Driveshaft with disc connection (rear wheel drive)

Apply nut by hand.

ATTENTION!
Only a new nut should be used!

10

Centre joint on differential flange and

torque socket head screws. Use three
washer plates.

ATTENTION:
Only new socket head screws should be used!

11

Tighten driveshaft nut. Torque according

to instruction of the car manufacturer.

12

Secure driveshaft nut against loosening.

Mount the wheel and make a test drive.
Repair tip! Driveshaft installation
Avoid overstretching the plunging joint by leaving the shaft hanging
down when still fixed to the gearbox housing. This might cause an
extreme pressure on the ball cage which is likely to cause a break.
Use special feed tools recommended by the car manufacturers.
Comply with the indicated tightening torques specifyed by the car
manufacturer.
Installation guidelines 3
Driveshaft disassembly/assembly: wheel-sided joint

1
Disassembly

Cut off both retaining clips.

Turn boot inside out over driveshaft.

Expand circlip (e.g. use tool no. 190132).

Insert threaded bolt into shaft.

Pull joint from shaft.
 ATTENTION!
Always take care of your own safety and
the safety of others. Please work safely and
wear safety equipment. Injuries such as
cutting or bruising are possible.

Joints fitted with inside-positioned circlip

(invisible) as well as driveshafts without
threads: use the joint puller (art. no.
190250) to remove the joint from the shaft.
Alternatively you can pull it off by tapping
with a plastic / rubber hammer on the
joint‘s face.

Pull off boot. Remove waste grease and

clean the joint.

6
Assembly
Apply both retaining clips to the shaft.
Place boot in correct position between
ridges of the shaft.
Fill half the grease supplied into the joint.

7
Place circlip in the groove of the ball hub.
Both shanks of the circlip should lie in
the outer recess. If the circlip has to be
positioned inside, place it in the groove of
the shaft.
Plug the joint on the shaft until the splines
of the shaft and the ball hub are in line.

Continued on the next page

Continuation installation guidelines 3
Driveshaft disassembly/assembly: wheel-sided joint

Using a plastic or rubber hammer drive the

joint carefully on the shaft until the circlip
expands to fit its function position.

The circlip should snap into the groove of the

connecting shaft or respectively expand behind the
ball hub.
9

Fill in the remaining grease.

10

Lock retaining clip by hand as tight as

possible.

11

Lock retaining clip with pliers (e.g. use tool

no. 190135).
 ATTENTION!
Always take care of your own safety and
the safety of others. Please work safely and
wear safety equipment. Injuries such as
cutting or bruising are possible.

12

Pull boot onto joint in correct position.

De-aerate boot.

13
Apply second retaining clip by hand as
tight as possible. Then lock it with pliers
(e.g. tool no. 190135).

ATTENTION: Check close fit! The boot rim must

be in full contact with joint and driveshaft.

Repair tip!
Boot assembly/disassembly
Whenever possible use boots specifically developed for the joint in
question. During assembly do not distort or overstretch the boot.
Pay attention to the correct tightening force of the clamp; proceed in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Always comply with the
indicated tightening torques of the locking screw of the joint. Always de-
aerate boots. Use suitable tools.
Installation guidelines 4
Driveshaft disassembly/assembly: gear-sided joint

1
Disassembly

Cut off retaining clip. Turn boot inside out

over the driveshaft.

Expand and take off circlip (e.g. with tool

no. 190131).

Knock joint from shaft using a plastic or

rubber hammer.

ATTENTION: Always make sure you knock

on the hub. Knocking on the ball guide ring
or joint will damage the joint.

Pull off boot from shaft.

 ATTENTION!
Always take care of your own safety and
the safety of others. Please work safely and
wear safety equipment. Injuries such as
cutting or bruising are possible.

5
Assembly

Apply both retaining clips to the shaft.

Place boot in correct position between
ridges of the shaft.

Fill half the grease supplied into the joint.

Plug the joint on the shaft until the splines
of the shaft and the ball hub are in line.

7
Apply gear-sided joints with disc
connection using a plastic or rubber
hammer.

ATTENTION: Use a tube to make sure you only hit the

hub of the joint.
Like that you can avoid damages to the ball cage or
the joint itself.

The joint must be fixed unmovably on the

shaft.
Then put the circlip in place.
For further steps please view installation
instructions no. 3 (wheel-sided joint),
no. 9-13.
 Possible wearing states
of CV joints

Joint bell
and hub

Some areas in the ball

tracks slightly polished.
wheel-sided gear-sided

Some areas extremely

polished, small craters
in the ball tracks.

Wearing signs clearly

visible, deep craters in
the ball tracks.

All the joints on these pages

are defective. We recommend
a replacement in all these
cases.
If in doubt always replace the
joint to ensure the driver‘s
safety!
 ATTENTION!
Whenever you have to change a boot also inspect the CV joint thoroughly! A defective boot
can always be the indication for a defective CV joint. Does the joint function properly? Is it
enough only to replace the boot?

Ball cage

Breakage in one or more

windows.
hub ball cage

Signs of wearing or
dimples in one or more
windows.

Chipping of the edges in

one or more windows.

Signs of wearing on
internal and external
contours (could appear
on wheel-sided fixed
joints).
Lubricant and
grease distribution

Different joint lubricants are available for ball and tripod joints,
as well as for standard and high-performance applications. The
ingredients are perfectly adjusted to the steel of the joint and the
boots for the respective application. This enables the components
to act smoothly.

High-performance greases can withstand temperatures of up

to 160° Celsius for short periods of time, while standard joint
lubricants are designed to withstand short-term exposure to
temperatures of up to 110° Celsius.

Using a standard lubricant in a high-

performance application may result in the
outgassing of the grease, and ultimately to
the total failure of the joint.

The amount of grease in the LÖBRO repair

kit is sufficient to completely fill the
corresponding joint. The remainder of the
grease is fed into the boot.

Repair tip!
Consider all parts!
The LÖBRO repair kit provides you with all parts needed for the
correct repair. When mounting the joint always consider all parts.
Always replace the circlip and use new screws for fixing. At the
wheelsided joint always replace nuts and socket head screws.
Always use special tools when fixing the retaining clips.
What is as good as original GKN parts?
Remanufactured parts by GKN!

Competence: GKN is the leading OE supplier.

Quality: GKN remanufactured driveshafts are produced in
certified remanufacturing sites (ISO TS 16949, ISO 14001) with
machines according to OE-standards.
Performance: GKN remanufactured driveshafts guarantee the
original performance of the car with regard to Noise Vibration
Harshness as well as the original joint angle.
Safety: GKN remanufactured driveshafts offer safety standards
according to OE requirements.
Warranty: For remanufactured driveshafts GKN offers the same
warranty as for new parts.
Range: Remanufacturing allows GKN to supply non-OE references
to extend the product range.
Costs: GKN provides driveshafts even for older cars for which
driveshafts cannot be produced economically for a reasonable
price.
Green Technology: Remanufacturing saves raw materials and
energy and minimizes the waste that used parts would
produce. GKN takes care of the waste management for used
parts and residual materials (i.e. used oil and swarf).

Repair tip! TPE boots

LÖBRO TPE boots are fixed with boot clamps of stainless steel
which require a special torque of 23-30 Nm. Use our special tool for
these clamps. If they are fixed too tight or too loose you may state
the following consequences: leaking, undependable fit, damage to
the boot.
Please note that damages caused by an assembly error cannot be
covered by warranty!
 Competence from
the leading OE supplier

Stock management
Excellent supply service
OE-quality level products
Extensive sales & marketing support
Updated product catalogue
Online catalogue
Certified TecAlliance Data Supplier
TecCom

We understand the requirements and

characteristics of front-wheel, rear-wheel
and four-wheel drives, we design to meet
the varying needs of all types of vehicles
from the electrically-operated through to

Art. Nr. 190332_12/2017

light trucks, sports cars, luxury cars and
4x4 vehicles.

Your partner for premium LÖBRO products:

GKN Service International GmbH

Nussbaumweg 19–21
51503 Rösrath, Germany
www.gknservice.com

© GKN. All rights reserved.