outer cv joint replacement

[Muddycowboy]

so i put a small whole in my cv joint boot and im trying to deside how to fix it. my choices are a 2 piece boot and a 1 piece boot. i was told you have to pull the cv joint apart to put on the 1 peice, but in order to install the 2 piece you have to get the axle shaft parallel to the ground any way to glue the seams together which means id have to rip it apart and get it out of the hub any way.

so here's my question: how had is it to disassemble the outer cv joint, and how do you do it. becuase if its really not all that much more work id rather just put the one piece boot on, becuase the 2 peice looks like it wont hold up well.

thanks for any help on this one guys.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Do the 1 peice boot, you have to remove the cv shaft from the truck, then you can knock the cv joint off of the shaft with a plastic dead blow, its held to the shaft with a spring clip. Install your boot and regrease it and put it back onto the shaft. Tighen your clamps and you're done.

 

[Muddycowboy]

so i have to remove the entire half shaft or can i just pull the outer cv joint off the shaft with it still in the truck. and is the spring clip just a snap ring

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Its a clip that rides in a groove in the shaft that holds the CV onto it. Its better to pull the works right out of the truck and put the shaft in a vise to you can hit the cv solidly.

 

[Muddycowboy]

ok so does the shaft just pull out, and will the fluid leak out if i pull it?

 

[wvcat]

I just did the outer boot on a 99. The easy way is a new shaft, the cheap way is a new boot. The shaft just pulls out. The outer cv doesn't come apart. You have to remove the inner boot and joint to get the outer boot off. Then reassemble...you will need new clamps for the inner boot as well...its not hard just a PITA
John

 

[Muddycowboy]

ok well i guess then ill keep the 2 piece biit and buy a one peice boot for the outside joint and use the clamps from the 2 piece replacement for the inside boot. what are the chances of the inside boot getting cut up while trying to get it of. should i just get two new boots

 

[neilk]

do you have to line up the inner joint with the outter joint like drive shafts? The reason I ask is I just repacked mine on my 98 and they are binding while rotating the spindle jacked up with no weight on the front...Neilk