outer cv boot replacement

[omodos]

Originally Posted by StartX5

Yes, you should pull the entire front axle out of the differential to replace the outter boot and just leave the inner boot/bearing alone, work on the outter then put everything back.

thanks for all the input spent 2hours with my mechanic, and laptop with pics and got this done will go through in more detail soon, but basically
1.took axle collar nut off (bought new one to replace it)
2.brake caliper and roter removed, caliper hung os spring with zip tie and out of way
3.abs sensor disconnected too and out of way
4. and undid all other bolts or control arm and wishbone and whatever was in the way
5. used a 3 prong extractor tool with pnuematic gun to force the outer cv joint inwards towards engine and away from the hub which we didnt remove
6. this then left the axle hanging and we cut of the damaged boot and started to tap it on the flat section of the 'star' shaped part of the housing that holds the bearings, wouldn't move, then twisted around in different positions and with one tap it came loose, be patient don't give up my mechanic at one point was insisting it would not come off and that it was fused in place!
7.pass retaining clips and the new boot onto axle, cleaned and greased bearing and housing and then proceeded to re-assemble, and not much force needed to put cv joint back together, the c clip on the axle will make a clicking noise once it is seated, diy on home page gives more details
8. pass through the assembled cv joing with the new boot cover into the hub
9.line it up and whack it, and then proceed to loosely attach the rest of the bolts takne off earlier, at this point use a chunk of wood over the hub and pound it until you see the end of the cv joint protrude through, you need just enough so as to be able to screw on the collar but
10. the rest was history, so far so good, took it for a 10mile drive over mixed terrain, both pot holed, mud roads, and highway, checked it and still looks o.

will add more details as soon as i can, didnt take pics as it is all included in the diy and posts by other members.