Front CV boot replacement tools & tricks?

[Bernie Benz]

> From: Steve Scalmanini <sscalmanini at yahoo.com>
> Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 13:26:07 -0700 (PDT)
> To: 200q20v at audifans.com
> Subject: Front CV boot replacement tools & tricks?
>
> Are there any special tools or techniques I should know about
> to replace front CV boots?  I finally split one after 186K miles.
> Got kits from SJM already.
Unbolt the sway bar from the bearing carrier and pop the ball joint from its
location in the bearing carrier, such that you can move the strut outward to
pull the wheel bearing off the stub axle to free the joint and shaft.
Loosen and retighten the stub axle bolt with the wheel on the ground.
>
> Is a press really/usually necessary to remove either joint?
No.  Remove the snap ring and the outer will pull off.  Either joint??
Don't touch the inner joints if no boot problems there.  The outers see much
more deflection causing the outer boot failure.  Unless the outer joint has
been contaminated from long use with broken boot, no need to clean the
joint.  Just add additional lube.  If it has injested dirt, disassemble
clean the parts and reassumble and relube.
>
> What is "D3" used to seal the "Cap" to the inner CV joint
> (per p. 40.18)?
Not necessary IMO.  I don't even retain/reuse the rubber gaskets and have
never had a grease leak at the gasket joint.
>
> Is any clamp crimper as good as another?
I use a pair of dikes.
>
> Anything else that should be done while they're out?
> (Front-end bushings and shocks are original.)
DFI if IAB!  If only one boot is bad replace the one boot.  The other side
could be good for another 50K

Bernie
>
> Steve
> Ukiah, CA
>