OK, I got the CRC grease, slopped as much of it as I could onto the joint and its cavity as I could, wrestled the axle back onto the strut (just me and my floor jack - no assistant), but I'm not having any luck crimping the CV boot clamps. Here's the crimping tool I'm using:
It seems to be the right type of tool, as its "teeth" fit neatly against the edges of the protrusion on the clamp. I'm a strong, fit guy, but I'm pressing on this thing with everything I've got, and I can't get it to budge - not a micron of crimping motion. The metal on these clamps is very hard - almost seems like you'd need some sort of power tool to crimp them. I haven't heard of anyone else having trouble with this step, so I'm wondering if I'm using the right tool. Thoughts?