OUter CV Boot Replacement without removing shaft from xfer case
 

Anyone ever changed out CV boot on the right side without taking the shaft all of the way out? In other words, just remove the shaft from the steering knuckle, replace the boot then put it back together?

Yep, both sides. I pulled apart the inner joint but even easier if you get yourself the tool to take off the outer joint. I can't stress enough to get OE boots.

Thanks for the prompt response. What tool are you referring to?

Sorry I'm not good with links and pictures but there is a pretty good thread on this with pics of this tool (needs to be bored out though).
I guess it's not really what you where asking because I did pull the shaft out, just not the outer part of the inner joint.

Not much more work to pull the inner joint apart just make sure you have new clamps for the inner boot.

I did my front right outer boot back in May (and also the inner boot since I was in there). I ended up taking the axle out, which was not hard. The hardest part was trying to understand the instructions in the thread:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...0-minutes.html

Yes, maybe if you can understand what they're saying, you can do it in 30 minutes, but it will take several hours of reading and experimenting to get there.

My post in that thread is #374, followed by some good info and my followup thoughts on how I would do it next time. This is one of those jobs where the right tool or something being a little more stuck vs loose may guide you toward an alternate solution that is easier. So flexibility helps. Good luck.

That's my concern. My inner boot is fine and I don't want to pull the shaft as I've read horror stories about getting it back in. If there is a way to pull the shaft out of the steering knuckle and get the new CV boot on without pulling the shaft out of the dif. I'm all over it. I've seen too many stories about not being able to get the shaft back into the dif.

I’ve recently done both outer boots and to be honest the easiest approach I found was to take the inner boot clamps off and remove the three roller joint from the stub axle that is in the front diff. This saves any diff seal disturbance and really only costs you an inner boot kit which is something like $15. In addition this means you can take the whole axle to the workbench and build it there instead of carside

See the link posted above. The idea is:

- Undo the control arms at subframe side, then slide the axle out of the hub.

- The way to undo the Outer CV Joint:
1. From INNER CV Joint boot area: this was the focus of that thread lnked above.
2. From the OUTER CV Joint: but this needs a puller tool. I posted some info in forum, you can search for it.

Brand:
1. BMW is very good, thick rubber.
2. GKN is probably factory and is probably as good.

This is the CV Joint Tool thread:

https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...ol-anyone.html