ok, so thanks again for help on getting the axle out. the whole reason i removed it was because the outer cv boot ripped. my intuition tells me that it just ripped, as there was plenty of grease all over the joint still, dripping out of the boot, there wasn't any dried grease on the suspension, and theres no dirt or anything in the joint. there were no driving symptoms (i did donuts in a parking lot for 5 minutes, not one click or pop..)

does anybody have any pointers as to a visual inspection of the outer joint, or any motion tests to see if its still good. i know this is NOT what everybody in the archives said to do, they all just replace the axle. but 10 bucks is a ****-ton cheaper than 55 bucks.... and i've already got the axle out and apart...

also, any pointers on, if i plan to just replace the boot, cleaning and prepping the outer joint? chiltons sucks ***. haha...

thanks again, jon

 

I have done it,even though it is not recommended..
see: http://www.binghamtonlife.com/...s.htm
Make sure to reassemble everything in the same position it was removed from.
A bench vise and an extra pair of hands would help..
I just rinsed it out the joint and spiders with brake cleaner and compressed air..
The hardest part was getting the new band on the boot.
I used a giant pair of channel locks to help compress it.