cobalt

I have found that prior to removing the circlip If you place a large socket over the shaft and pound the CV joint hard a couple of times with a heavy mallet. It makes it easier to remove the circlip and at the same time loosens the cv joint from the splines making it slide off much easier.

jimq

Success!! Finally got the darn thing off. Ended up using the gear puller and my impact wrench set on low. There was just enough banging vibration and slow turning of the gear puller screw that it finally broke free. Once it got started it slid right off. Dont see anything bent or broken so tomorrow i will clean it up, replace the boots and get it back on the road. Just hoping it goes back on easier than it came off!
Shocked that my cheap Harbor Freight gear puller I bought to do my shocks years ago worked like a champ and didnt bend or break.

cobalt

Good luck with that.

jimq

Dont tell me that
I am going to find out tonight!

LouZ

As I noted earlier, I used the gear puller to get mine off. After installing the 2 new boots, I greased the CV, then "tapped" it on by putting a large socket (bigger than the shaft) on the CV till the circlip groove was aligned.

AVI_8

It'll go on without any problems, clean the shaft off, wire brush then re-grease.
Good idea using impact, I didn't have one when I did mine.

tbennett017

not too much grease on the splines... ;-P... too much creates a hydraulic barrier and it won't fit.

jimq

What about anti seize on the splines?

jimq

Got the car back together yesterday and back on the road. No strange noises The boots and CV joint went on with little problems. Used a large socket to knock the CV joint back on and it went without a lot of resistance. Cleaned and greased the CV. I wire brushed the splines and put a little anti seize on them. I dont see how you guys do this job on jack stands! I think I could do the other side a lot quicker now that I know whats involved. I figure it will take a couple of months to get the last of the grease out of my finger nails

bpras@msn.com

Currently doing this on my 92 C2. The splines on the outboard drive shaft and the inner CV joint looked like they were sprayed with a light coat of copper anti-seize compound. The coating looked like it was done at the point of manufacturing. One light tap with a wooden block to remove the CV and the axle from the carrier. Will check the local parts stores to see if I can find some copper anti-seize to prevent issues like some experienced in this thread.