Important! Before starting work, purchase the appropriate cover replacement kit. The kit contains a special lubricant based on Moly paste, required for filling the CV joints. No other type of lubricant can be used.
Cut the cover's fastening straps and discard them.
Slide the protective cover from the CV joint onto the drive shaft.
Use a screwdriver to remove the large CV joint retaining ring (if any).
Remove the thrust ring and, by sliding it, remove the CV joint from the splines of the drive shaft.
Remove the protective cover from the drive shaft.
Figure 9.36. Protective covers for drive shaft CV joints
Please note: Different boots are used on the wheel and differential sides, so they cannot be mixed up (figure 9.36).
Since removing and installing the drive shaft is quite labor-intensive work, it is recommended to replace both drive shaft protective boots at the same time, even if only one is damaged.
Thoroughly clean the CV joint and shaft splines, inspect them for wear, damage, dirt and water. Replace any damaged parts with new ones.
Wrap the drive shaft splines with tape to avoid damaging the surface of the new boot when installing it. Lightly grease the inside diameter of the new boot and slide it onto the drive shaft.
Remove the tape, lightly coat the splines with grease and install the CV joint and thrust ring with the tapered side facing the shaft.
Fill the CV joint with a special lubricant based on Moly paste.
Install the outer snap ring.
Place the protective boot in the grooves of the CV joint housing and drive shaft.
Install the protective boot mounting clamp so that the tightening key closes in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the drive shaft when the vehicle is moving.
Figure 9.37. Tightening the CV joint protective boot clamp
Tighten the clamp with pliers and bend its tail (figure 9.37).
Install the wheel drive shaft.