Drive shaft outer (CV joint) boots - change while on the car?

[elgyqc]

While preparing to remove my engine I noticed that the CV inner boots are starting to develop surface cracks so I will change them and I would like to do the outer boots also. Searching on the topic I saw in several places that it is suggested that it is not possible to change the outer boot because the outer CV joint cannot be removed. This is incorrect as you can see in Pedro's DYI, you just slide the new boot on from the inside end of the shaft:
Replace the CVJ Boots & Half Axles
This is easy to do when the axle is out of the car, but I already have the car up in the air with the suspension braces removed so cannot put the wheels on the floor in order to loosen the outer axle bolt (that is torques to something like 340 ft/lb). I wonder if it is possible to change the outer boot with the axle in place. It looks like there is enough clearance to slide the boot on and get the clamp in place. The down side is that it would be almost impossible to re-grease the CV joint. Has anyone tried this?

[blue62]

Originally Posted by elgyqc

While preparing to remove my engine I noticed that the CV inner boots are starting to develop surface cracks so I will change them and I would like to do the outer boots also. Searching on the topic I saw in several places that it is suggested that it is not possible to change the outer boot because the outer CV joint cannot be removed. This is incorrect as you can see in Pedro's DYI, you just slide the new boot on from the inside end of the shaft:
Replace the CVJ Boots & Half Axles
This is easy to do when the axle is out of the car, but I already have the car up in the air with the suspension braces removed so cannot put the wheels on the floor in order to loosen the outer axle bolt (that is torques to something like 340 ft/lb). I wonder if it is possible to change the outer boot with the axle in place. It looks like there is enough clearance to slide the boot on and get the clamp in place. The down side is that it would be almost impossible to re-grease the CV joint. Has anyone tried this?

You don't need the wheels on the ground to loosen the axle bolt.
Have someone hold the brake pedal down then use an impact wrench or long breaker bar to loosen the axle nut.
The very same thing you would need to do if the wheels were on the ground.

[Stl-986]

Air tools will help but not an absolute requirement. My Dewalt cordless impact didn't have a problem on the last one I pulled the axle nut off of.

[986tate]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

My Dewalt cordless impact didn't have a problem on the last one I pulled the axle nut off of.

Impressive!
OP, I think someone on Boxa.net posted about doing it in car recently. I remember because I’m thinking about doing it as well

[elgyqc]

Originally Posted by Stl-986

Air tools will help but not an absolute requirement. My Dewalt cordless impact didn't have a problem on the last one I pulled the axle nut off of.

I didn't have confidence in my mastercraft 110V impact driver, but after your suggestion I gave it a try and the bolt came right off. Now the shafts don't want to come out of the hubs... so they are getting the penetrating oil treatment...

[Quadcammer]

I've done it. works fine.