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CV joint gaitor (rubber boot) renewal

Mike from Spain

Enthusiast
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134
Hi chaps, I removed a drive shaft yesterday to renew a cv boot and could see immediately that the inner boot and joint have to be removed in order to slide a new outer boot on. However, I couldn't see how to get the inner cv joint off the shaft and didn't want to damage it so I put it all back together. Has anyone done it? Is there a pin to remove or does it just knock off like a mini? I'm going to try to get a split boot today but the info will be useful for the future!
 
There is no pin, nor circlip! Clamp carefully the gearbox joint in a vice and pull the gaiter away. Try to pull the driveshaft upwards (like trying to separate the joint). You will notice what holds the joint together: three sheet metal tabs on the tripot housing. you should bend them slightly upwards. The tripot joint will not separate straight upwards, try to dislodge one roller first (by tilting the driveshaft at an angle), then the other two will come off their races easily. Be careful!!! the outer bearing races are free to come off (along with their needle rollers so hold them with one hand.
Now you have the driveshaft with the tripot spider still attached. Wrap some adhesive tape around the spider so as not to lose the three bearings. Remove the circlip, and the spider can be taken off. If no one has dismantlad it before, it will need a three-legged pulled (but not too much effort) to be released.
Now you can remove the inner gaiter, then the outer one.
On reassembly don't forget the spring on the inner joint, and bend back the securing tabs by hitting them with a hammer.
 
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