Originally Posted by Turdle

Well, since I have my truck dis assembled for a very major repair, I had my cv's removed.

I had noticed earlier, the passenger side which I had replaced last summer, had a
"caved in" boot. It no longer acordianed quite right. it isn't cut or split, but it bugged me.

I have 2 of these new boot kits laying around, and, decided since my original cv was replaced only because the boot was torn, it would be a good practice.
Well, it went so well, I do think I have saved the original. and, will use the "remanufactured" as a spare.
I was half way into it, before it hit me to do a how to,
forgive me, as the pictures take up after the cv itself had been cleaned. I will try to used cleaned pics for dis assembly instructions.
Now we will learn together, as I have never had one of these apart before in my life. This is a figure it out as you go deal.


Here is the kit as it comes, with part number



Inside, you will find a boot, a thing of new grease, new metal retaining straps, 2 new metal snap retainers and a cotter pin



This procedure assumes you have the cv axle removed from the truck

CV Axle Replacement How To (Pictures) - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts Serious Explorations

Be sure the vehicle is supported well, and, wheels are chokked

Here are the tools I used--( minus a set of side cutters)



Pair of lineman pliers
needle nose pliers
internal snap ring pliers
screw driver
hammer
razor blade for cutting the boot

also you want a grease gun loaded with good grease, and,optionally a sealed bearing grease nozzle for the grease gun



Begin by snipping prying what have you to remove the metal rings on the old boot. Don't worry, as you have new stuff. Once you have the larger ring off the end cup will slide off.

Cut the remaining boot off the shaft. Inside a torn boot you will find this choco mocha pudding, which, does not taste like choco mocha pudding at all, and, is nooo good


the whole mess will come apart, and look like this, but dirtier


Now, look under the 3 rollers, and you will see a snap ring riding in a groove, which stops the roller assembly from sliding further on the splines



using a snap ring plier, open up the ring enough to slide it down the shaft, like this


this will allow the roller assembly to slide down like this



which will expose the smaller wire retaining ring



Remove the outer ring, and, slide the roller assembly off the shaft

Take note of the inner splines--the blank goes toward the end of the shaft



Clean it all up real good. I used brake cleaner, then sprayed it down with liquid lube.



Now for re assembly
slide on the smaller retaining strap



Slide the new boot onto the shaft. it should be hard to slide. If you need some lube, use some spit,and slide it up until it "snaps" onto it's groove.


install the metal strap over it and lock it tight



at this time let's look at the straps

they come "locked" like this



you can unlock em one handed, like this



to allow them to go over the boot, once it is in place

once you have them snapped back together, use a side cutter, and , carefully WITHOUT CUTTING pinch in on the lower portion of the bulged area like this to tighten them down. I used the hammer to tap them down flat when tightened well




Now back to the cv joint----


Install the new lower ring like this



slide on the roller assembly



install the new outer retaining ring



Pull out on the roller assembly now, until you get the outer ring seated under it, and, slide the lower snap ring up into it's groove







ok, now the fun

grease up all the rollers well, squirt grease in all areas with the fitting on the grease gun until you are sure there are no dry areas



now, use the supplied grease and fill up the "cup" end ,



Slide the 2 parts together



Now, Maybe I am wrong here, but I squirted in a lot more grease on top of the mess, rotating the shaft until it was all covered



and slide the boot on over it



lock on the large retainer strap



And put the thing back in your truck



Hopefully, this will help someone save a few bucks