*the boots in the picture are the old torn boots i cut of

My question is not how to get the axel of, I can do that. I have the axel off, and seeing as my boots were torn (all 4 of them, 2 on either side) I simply cut them off for now.

Now the small end of the boot will not fit over either end of the axel where they must go. So it would seem to me I have to take the actual axel apart. This is where I stop...



Label # 1 - Can i pull that end "tri-spike" off and slip the left side boot on that way?
Label # 2 - That is just a rubber "brace" there does not appear to be any way to take the axel in half underneath that.
Label # 3 - Is there a special tool to pull this apart?

I'd rather not take this to a dealer to do for me if it can be done at home. If I must I will take both axels to them with the parts and ask them to do it for me.


Modified by kevinoneill at 8:46 PM 7/13/2005

 

there is a little C-clip that holds #1 o the shaft; take that out and you will be able to slide it off.
#2 you have to take off in order to slide the outside boot.

#3 dont mess with it..there is no need.

 

Ah yes. Good. I'd assume I should use some needle nose pliers to pull that ring out of #1. Is there a ring either end, or just the front end?

 

there is a ring on both sides
to put them back in i use a socket

 

A socket just to push them evenly back in. Are they easily damaged?

 

yes, the socket because they can be a pain to put back in without the right tool.
they are pretty sturdy; but if you want to break them im sure you could

 

Thanks for your help.

I'll be trying this out tomorrow night after work. Hopefully it will go smooth.

 

#3(outer) has to be pounded out.

 

Thanks, I'm going to try to go from the other end first.

 

It's really not that hard. Good luck with it.

 

Remember to use a brass hammer to absorb the impact.

 

Wow those rings on the end of the tri-pod were friggen HARD to get out. Hardest part of the project.

I got all the boots off, and back on again. I'm going to go out and buy new bands to secure the boots on there. The ones that came of were tearing into peices from just being un-wound. I also need to buy a special tool to get them on with.

All in all the project cost me about $75 bucks. I'm afraid to ask how much a shop would of charged for boot replacement, never mind axel replacement.

Thanks all.

 

unless these are aftermarket axles, i never replace just the boot, go for the whole thing, its not that much more $$$ and you get a brand new part plus time saved. IMHO

 

that may be true depending on your case...but i definerely learned alot by taking the axel apart.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by kevinoneill &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">that may be true depending on your case...but i definerely learned alot by taking the axel apart.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I replaced mine because my brand new hasport axle boot ripped. I also learned a lot while doing my project.

 

good call on the learning experience

 

YES! Finally have my car back. Here's my experience.

Hardest parts in order (hardest on top...):
1. CV boot clips being put back on
2. Removing sealing rings at end of tri-fork
3. Putting Tri-fork guy back into its housing
4. Axel nut removal
5. Main arm removal from hub.

Time: ****...probally 10 hours. Granted I'd never take an axel out before, never mind taken one apart. I wouldn't doubt it being more than that though.

Would I do it again? Eh questionable. Pain in the ***, yes. Would i feel good about having a shop do it? No. Am I still afraid my boots will slip of b/c tightening the clips was a bitch to get tight, yes. I'll check them ina few days see if they stayed on.

Cost: 4 Boots $80 (15 ea.), 6 new clips (4 used...$2.50 ea.), tool to put on clip ($10-15...was usless fyi.), break cleaner ($10...b/c after all that cv grease my rotors were loooking ugly), CV grease $10, one tub did me fine.

So basically around $100 depending on what you have laying around the garage. Some of the CV clips broke while taking them off, 15 years old will do that too ya.

Well if your gonna do this, and your obviosly researching it (found this thread) drop my an IM with any further Q's.

Special Thanks to MMuller. You helped me out during my frustrated hours.

 

how do shops wash the CV joint? I dipped the outter joint in simple green overnight and spent 3 hours washing them but I still couldn't get all the grease out. Every time I rotated the outer joint new grease came up from the bottom. The pros got to have somne machine to wash it.

 

Thanks for the mention kevinoneill. Anytime.

Also If you do not have access to the butterfly clamp type bands, the big heavy duty zip ties work great...
they are just as thick as the band