Front Inner CV Boot Change. Assistance Required

[tk32]

Hello,

A short intro since I am brand new. Purchased a 1988 325iX recently and she needs some more or less regular maintenance which I am about 90% done with at this point. Timing belt water pump etc etc already done.

Which brings me here, front inner CV boots need replacing. Axle is out, boots removed. How the F*** do you get the spline out in order to slide the new boot on? I have separated the circlip in there and pulled, tapped/hit everything with a rubber mallet etc, no movement. Just grease everyfuckingwhere :

This thread has been my reference as no Bentley Manual or otherwise that I can find knows about the front of an iX http://www.e30performance.info/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=630

A few Current Photos:



As she sits..


Any advise from those with experience will be appreciated. Thanks in advance :drink:

tk

[TehRaydarlover]

Haha been there. I usually pin the one end of the axle (the one with the boot still on in your picture) on the edge of your work bench and let the other end hand down. Then with your needle nose pliers spread the ends of the clip you have shown. The a few taps with a hammer and it should fall right off. The other side(pictured with the boot still on) is a whole other animal. I usually have to cut one end of the clip off and pull it through. Then still have to beat the sh!t out of it for it to come off. For some reason the outer joint is always a pita for me. I think the splines get a little bent making it hard to slide the head off. The inner joint has never given me any trouble. Should only need to take the one end off if you are just replacing the boots. I was rebuilding/investigating.

Ray

[nando]

the easiest way is to put the shaft in a vice (being careful not to scratch it), and tap on the joint while spreading the clip apart.