Replacing outer cv joint boot on the front of x5
 

I am replacing the outer boot on the front and have removed the output shaft out of the hub. I am now at the point were I need to remove a retaining clip in order to slid the cv joint off the shaft to slid on the boot, but I can't seem to find a way to get to the clip. The crack in the boot was detected quickly so there is no damage to the bearings (luckly). Anyone have any info.

Thanks
Jeff
http://mysite.verizon.net/web22tf4/s...g.w300h225.jpg

I've attached a screen print from the BMW TIS for your review:

Thank you for the info.
Jeff

Back on the road agian. Thanks allot for the pic's. I think I will buy those cd's they are great. I wish I would have done a little research before I took it apart I would have bought an inner boot as well. reusing the bands off the inner boot is scary I will buy an inner boot and extra bands to replace the old ones I put on. All in all a pretty simple fix.

Thanks agian
Jeff

Are you willing to post the DIY for the boot repair? A ton of people are always asking about how to do this repair.

I will try and put together the steps I did to do the fix. Coming from a plumbers way of doing things.

Jeff

I am having mine replaced Thur. The shop is charging me 300 or 350, is it worth making it a DIY?

Jeff,

Did you have to remove the strut or ball joint? Were you able to get the outer end out of the hub by just removing the nut and pushing out?

Thanks
Mokondis

Hello,
I used a air impact tool for most of the nuts also I used a steering wheel puller to push the output shaft out of the hub. I put the lugs in and slipped the puller between the lock washers. you need to remove the bolts on the struts so it will move freely. I think you could use a 5/8's steel rod or a wooden dowel to beat it out. The socket to get the lock nut off would be great to have I did not have it and used a pair of needle nose vise grips to spin it off and put it back on. inserting the output shaft back in took some time beating it back into the hub. I used a 2x4 and wired it to the lugs and beat the hub back onto the output shaft. I would replace both boots since you need to take off the inner boot and there is enough room to use s/s hose clamps to seal the boot to the output shaft. You could buy the crimp clamps for both boots and you will need a new lock nut. Once you see how easy the rotor and caliper come off I think a brake job would be easy as well.