got it done this weekend
 

I replaced my boot this weekend....took longer than I had hoped thanks to a stubborn axle nut and the time consuming task of getting the hub off the cv shaft. I had to use my old clip on the axle when I put the cv joint back on the axle because the new one was much smaller. I do have one question....is that wire clip the only thing that hold the cv joint on? How can I be positive I got it on copletely. I put it back on by tapping with a hammer and it feels like the clip engaged the groove. An advice. By the way thnaks for posting the instructions....worked great!

i have to do both sides but i think my cv are to be replaced, i have that clicking noise when i make turns, so thanks for the article it will be put to the test!

tackling this task tomorrow thanks for the information

I think the clip ensures the splined shaft is located properly in the cv joint .
happy to help .:thumbup:

Just spent my weekend replacing my CV boot on my 2005 108,000 miles 3.0d Sport. Instruction are great but I had a major problems, which I would like to share the solutions for:-

1) - Unscrewing the Collar Nut
2) - CV withdrawing from the hub
3) - Removing/re-attaching the CV joint from the splined shaft,

so here is some tips that worked for me.

1) - Unscrewing the Collar Nut - A 22" extending breaker bar woul not make it budge even with my full 240Ibs (110kg) body weight - I too another breaker bar and 3 Jubilee clips and fixed the two bars together giving be a 40" breaker bar, worked easily cost £1.80 for the clips.

2) - CV withdrawing from the hub - Used a 6" bearing puller with 3 claws. The claws hold onto the hub and screw onto CV joint end of the splined shaft, with lots of turns, giving more pressure than I thorght necessary, I then hit the bearing pullers screw. This made the shaft move, but several setups and attemps finally removed the CV joint.

3) - Removing/re-attaching the CV joint from the splined shaft - The splined shaft ( pic 6) which clearly shows the groove for the spring clip, needed to retain the CV joint. However the spring clip is difficult to get the CV joint passed. I used a Jubilee clip to squeeze the ring flush with the splines. When the CV joint is forced onto the shaft it passes over the spring clip and forces the jubilee clip further up the shaft where it can be unscrewed and removed easily.

Hopes this helps

Nige.

Nige did you take any pics?

excellent tips and feedback from you folks .
by the way , nigelrfoster lives in Jean - Luc Picards home town .

My indy recommends OEM CV boots. Says many aftermarket ones are too thin and often have to be replaced again within a year.

Managed to catch mine within a few days of starting to leak. Only had to replace the boots. My indy feels, depending upon how much driving & driving conditions, you can get away with 2 weeks of driving and not have to replace the axle. So look first before telling them to replace the axles.

So I found a bit of grease around the inner right side of the axle while putting on the snow tires for the winter. The odd thing is the boot does not appear to have torn. Going to replace it just in case. Do most people replace inner and outer boots while they are in there? Does OEM appear to have a better quality boot?

2004 X5 4.4: 79k miles

I just did this method and what a shortcut! It was pretty easy with my hand tools and thank goodness for my impact wrench. That axel nut was TIGHT! It was also easier using the provided clip for the CV stud. I love saving money! 16 dollars VS hundreds!
About 1.5 hours and she's back on the road.

Thanks amacman!