CV BOOT REPLACED IN 30 MINUTES

wpoll · #1 09-20-2015, 04:15 AM

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread - I have just replaced an outer LH boot on my '05 E53 3.0d by dropping only the rear lower control arm and popping the axle from the outer joint - 60 minutes total time under the wheel arch, 2 hours total time including set up and clean up. I read all 30 pages of this thread first, which took more time that the job itself!

Removing the axle from the outer CV joint (with the CV joint still in the hub) was the quickest and easy way to do this. Removing the axle from the outer CV joint was pretty easy using all the tips in this thread, as was re-installing it.

Time to go and buy that lottery ticket!

cn90 · #2 09-20-2015, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wpoll

...Removing the axle from the [B]outer CV joint[/B was easy...

wpoll,

I thought the crux of this DIY is to drop the control arm bolts, then undo the INNER CV Joint (aka "Tripod") to save time and hassle.

Did you really remove the OUTER CV Joint with the 36-mm nut still in place?

wpoll · #3 09-20-2015, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn90

wpoll,

I thought the crux of this DIY is to drop the control arm bolts, then undo the INNER CV Joint (aka "Tripod") to save time and hassle.

Did you really remove the OUTER CV Joint with the 36-mm nut still in place?

Sure did - same as in post #34 (page 4) - see dville's pictures. I did pretty much the same but while I had tension on the joint with the small pry bar (screwdriver in my case) I had a helper use a long punch and hammer and gave the CV inner a light smack - it just popped. The combination of tension on the c-clip and a sharp knock just popped the clip and out it came.

mofoaka · #4 09-28-2015, 11:53 PM

for those who removed CV joint at the tripod, what kind of grease did you use to repack when replacing just the outer boot? Should i go ahead and buy GKN tripod grease? i put the outer cv boot grease for the inner joint. I keep reading that this is not acceptable and we really need hi temp CV joint grease. Help me out guys. car is still on jack stands. Thanks!

admranger · #5 10-02-2015, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mofoaka

for those who removed CV joint at the tripod, what kind of grease did you use to repack when replacing just the outer boot? Should i go ahead and buy GKN tripod grease? i put the outer cv boot grease for the inner joint. I keep reading that this is not acceptable and we really need hi temp CV joint grease. Help me out guys. car is still on jack stands. Thanks!

I found it was cheaper to buy an inner boot kit than to buy just the GKN tripod grease. New boot, clamp, and the proper grease for the tripod bearings used on our X5's.