Half shaft boot??

[barry]

Hi Guys
Can the half shaft boots be changed by disconnecting the shaft from the differential side only? 1988 325is
Thanks
Barry

[bmwpower]

Yes, but it will be a bitch since you have to remove the inner CV joint to remove/replace the outer boot. Why not just remove the whole thing?

[barry]

I thought I could just slide the inside boot down the shaft from the differential side.

[jlevie]

You could do it that way, but it will be nearly impossible to clean the CV joints of old grease and re-pack, which should be a part of replacing the boots. The job will be a lot easier if you remove the half shafts from the car. The BMW boot kits are a little are expensive than generics, but they fit properly and contain everything needed except the tool to crimp the band clamps.

[bmwpower]

I thought I could just slide the inside boot down the shaft from the differential side.

Which ones are you replacing? Inner and outer?

To replace the outer you need to remove the inner CV joint. The new outer boot will not fit over the inner CV joint. Same with the inner boot...you need to remove the inner CV joint.

I would just remove it. The time you waste trying to work with it on the car could be better spent.