Help ! Outer CV boot rempacement

Hi,

I've got a problem, I'm afraid, I can't seem to remove the outer CV joint to replace the boot. The Haynes manual says there are older models with a circlip, and later models which nees 'a sharptap' with a wooden mallet to remove. I can't see a circlip, so I'm guessing it's the later model ('79 diesel). I also can't remove the driveshaft for lack of a 12 sided bit in my socket set. I'll buy a 12-sided bit on Monday and remove the shaft (on my cabriolet there are hex screws on the driveshafts) and replace the screws with hex screws, but I still need to remove one of the CV joints to change the boot.

Here's the kit I've got:


And here's how far I've got:


Do I simply bang it with a hammer to remove it? Where shouls I hit it, and how hard?

Any ideas gratefully accepted, as usual.
Robin

Don't knock it off mate just get a stretch fit boot!!!

 :mrgreen:

All the ones I've done have had bi-hex (12 point) bolts holding inner to gearbox, someone must have already been at your Cabriolet? They do round off quite easily if you are not careful and use the proper tool.

The outer joint does simply knock off, its held on by the black U-shaped clip in your photo next to the copper coloured circlips. The clip is on the shaft 'inside' the CV joint. A sharp blow has the joint compress the clip and drop off the shaft. Its not that strong as when on the car the joints can't go anywhere beening trapped between the gearbox and the hub.

All the ones I've done have had bi-hex (12 point) bolts holding inner to gearbox, someone must have already been at your Cabriolet? They do round off quite easily if you are not careful and use the proper tool.

The outer joint does simply knock off, its held on by the black U-shaped clip in your photo next to the copper coloured circlips. The clip is on the shaft 'inside' the CV joint. A sharp blow has the joint compress the clip and drop off the shaft. Its not that strong as when on the car the joints can't go anywhere beening trapped between the gearbox and the hub.

Thanks for the prompt replies. So I can hit it with a big hammer, then?

Robin

Yes but I'd use a piece of wood inbetween. Whilst drive shaft is off I'd also clean out and repack the inner with fresh CV grease.

All sorted - it was the older sort with a circlip, whice explains why I couldn't get the CV joint off:



You can see the circlip in a recess in the photo. It was easier to remove the whole driveshaft (after buying the correct tool) and remove the CV joint onthe bench.
I reassembled with new bolts with a hex fitting, to make it easier to remove next time.

Thanks for the help,
Robin

nice one,
just the info I need.
cheers

Trying to get the outer CV off of my 81 Westmoreland Rabbit. No circlip to remove and it does not want to come off by trying to drive it off with a hammer and wood. Manufacturer of the CV is EMPI so I doubt it is the original. Any ideas? May have to just hit it harder?

Clean as much grease out as possible and check for the Circlip, there's a little cut out in the cv joint as seen in the picture above, if your are sure there is no Circlip then you need to hit it harder to remove the cv joint. Hold it so its in line with with the shaft (as if it's straight on the car) and give it a good hit on the edge of the cv joint so not to damage it, a rubber mallet is best for the job.
it does make the job easier if you can remove the shaft from the car but it is possible with it still attached but there isn't much room to work.

I have both driveshafts out and cleaned up. No circlip. I also have the inner CVs off. What if I just pack the outer CVs with grease and not remove them? Cleaned them with solvent and blew them out with compressed air. I can easily slide the outer CV boot from the inner side of the driveshaft since the inner CVs are off. Thoughts?

Yes you can do that to change the boot as the inners are off, just hope the outer ones are OK as you will have to remove them to change them.

I am mainly concerned with msking sure they are really vlean before repacking. For the life of me, I can't get the outer CVs off.

If you really want to remove the CV joint hold the drive shaft in a vice attached to a bench or similar and then grab hold of the end of the cv joint and hold it inline with the drive shaft and hit it HARD on the edge, best to use a rubber mallet.

Tried that. No luck.

Never did get the outers off. Cleaned them with solvent real good and then blew them out with compressed air. Seemed to work fine. Looks like I have two types of inners. One has the concave washer and the other has a large circlip that the CV rests on. When assembled they both have the same space left for the outer clip. Attached some pics. Does this look correct? Only type in the manual was the one with the concave washer.

at 3:00 you can see how he taps the outer side off.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWodwx7VWFI

My Haynes manual says that the models till mid 80 have the circlip and from mid 80 onward you have to tap them of (like this guys does)

I watched that video at least 20 times and was amazed how easy it worked for him. Not the case for me. I finally gave up, left them on, cleaned them and repacked. On a side note the guy in the video was an interesting character. At least here in San Diego he would be.

That's all I have to do with mine, hold it straight, hit it and it slides off.

same here