Quote:
Originally Posted by dville
Everyone explains things slightly different, and some people pick a little from each one.
If I had to do it again.
No need to remove anything except the wheel.
Try doing the OUTER boot first, using clamps, or quick blows, then if no go, don't waste any more time like I did.
To save the hassle I went though.
1) Buy INNER and OUTER boots and $8 CV boot clamp from Advanced Auto Parts
2) Jack up front
3) Unbolt the straight control arm at the engine side
4) remove inner and outer boot clamp, hold rotor and pull outwards,
5) remove the C clip from the inner bearings (3 wheeled thing)
6) tap or pull the inner bearing off
7) remove and replace both inner and outer boots and clamps
8) tap back on inner bearing, reinstall C clip
9) Fit inner joint back into the cup, tighten all 4 inner and outer CV clamps,
10) reinstall control arm but only tighten fully with front wheels on the ground.
11) Put wheels back on.
DONE
|
I needed to replace the driver's side outer CV boot on my wife's 2001 X5 last weekend. After reading all of these posts, I ordered the outer boot kit and planned on 1 hour (twice the "projected" time..).
Like many others, I could not separate the axle shaft from the outer CV joint. No amount of prying or banging did anything. I pryed so hard, it stretched the inner boot alot, maybe too much, so I read dville's alternate solution, and this is the way to do it!
To the ones that can separate the shaft from the outer CV joint (30 minute method) congratulations! To the ones that can't, dville's method above is the best alternative.
The only way I would do the replacement the "long" way is if I had to remove the outer CV joint for repair or replacement. Even then, that method is so involved, I would bring it into the dealer for them to do it.
Some thoughts from my repair:
1. The cheap CV boot clamp pliers I bought from Advance Auto broke after the second crimp. I figured I wouldn't use them much, so I didn't spring for a better quality set. I returned them for a refund, then ordered a professional quality set of pliers (Lisle 30800) from Amazon for under $30:
Lisle 30800 CV Boot Clamp Pliers : Amazon.com : Automotive These will last a lifetime.
2. Have the inner CV boot grease on hand. As other have found out, this special inner grease isn't stocked anywhere!
Peabo