N/S outer CV boot needs replacing but I cannot get the drive shaft off, I cannot get the drive shaft out of the hub.

 

I put a split CV boot kit on it last year to get it through the MOT which has also got a split in it now, did the job though but want to fit a genuine CV boot now as the split kit ones don't seem to last very long.

 

I have brought a hub puller and with this done as tight as possible and hitting the puller bolt with a big hammer will not force the drive shaft out.

 

Anyone know if it's possible to split the drive shaft on the car i.e. leaving the outer CV joint on the car and just pulling the drive shaft out of it, I think the outer CV joint is only held on by a spring circlip, so easy to split when the drive shaft is held in a vice by giving it a tap with a mallet, can it be done on the car and so get around the problem I have with the drive shaft/outer CV stuck in the hub ?

 

Thanks

Wd40 over the driveshaft, put the nut on so it's flush with the driveshaft and hit rather hard with a copper hammer.

It will come out but will just be really tight.

You have removed the balljoint nut/bolts?

It is possible to replace the outer drive shaft CV boots without undoing the hub nuts, I know because I have changed three for family/friends in the last two years.

 

All I do is remove the wheel and undo the bottom ball joint, cut off the old CV boot and put a clamp around the drive shaft.

 

The clamp is tightened onto the solid (narrowest) section of the drive shaft nearest to the hub (I used mole grips for the first one I did but made my own clamp for the other two).

 

Once the clamp is in place an assistant (usually the missus) with the aid of a leaver can put pressure on the circlip by levering between the clamp and the hub.

 

Then use a copper drift and hammer to impact the hub and the drive shaft pops straight out.

 

Once the boot has been replaced the shaft just pushes back into the CV joint and circlip.  

vrs180 - excellent info thanks, I had a feeling there would be a way to do it, very much appreciate your reply :-)

 

I have tried to get the drive shaft out twice now, I have used WD40, hammer and now a hub puller and it still won't move, the end of the driveshaft is starting to become damaged from all of the hammering.