[RufNutt]

Hi ,

I was able to break down the rear half shaft to clean up inner joint on my 328i xdrive LCI and put on a new inner boot but the outer boot is giving me an issue.

I don't want to just do the inner joint while I am in there.

I can't figure out how to get outer cv joint apart to clean , inspect and add grease before new boot.

I have the boot off and can't see a snap ring to take out with pliers prior to disassembly , like on the inner end

I can't see a clip of any sort , so I am wondering do you just hit the cv joint from the backside of the joint to release it off the shaft.

Does it have a c-clip on the end of the outer cv joint like on the end of the axle before it goes into the differential?

is the clip different on the end of the outer cv joint?

I know the inner had a snap ring I could access after separating the boot covers.


Maybe the outer cv is not able to come apart to clean and inspect properly



Thanks for any info folks

CHEERS

Rufnut

[RufNutt]

Originally Posted by RufNutt

Hi ,

I was able to break down the rear half shaft to clean up inner joint on my 328i xdrive LCI and put on a new inner boot but the outer boot is giving me an issue.

I don't want to just do the inner joint while I am in there.

I can't figure out how to get outer cv joint apart to clean , inspect and add grease before new boot.

I have the boot off and can't see a snap ring to take out with pliers prior to disassembly , like on the inner end

I can't see a clip of any sort , so I am wondering do you just hit the cv joint from the backside of the joint to release it off the shaft.

Does it have a c-clip on the end of the outer cv joint like on the end of the axle before it goes into the differential?

is the clip different on the end of the outer cv joint?

I know the inner had a snap ring I could access after separating the boot covers.


Maybe the outer cv is not able to come apart to clean and inspect properly



Thanks for any info folks

CHEERS

Rufnut

Well I was hoping by now that someone would have figured out a better way to inspect these rear outer joints other then put them in a 5 gallon pail with a solvent, that is old school lol and I knew that .

Thanks anyhow

[Brian86]

The sheet metal cover between the spline/spindle/cup section and the boot is crimped into place around the cup. Removal is destructive. The sheet metal cone is designed to limit the movement of the CV joint so the balls don't fall out of place when handling outside the car.

Once the sheet metal portion of the boot is off the CV joint just falls apart when bent about 30deg. Unfortunately there is no practical way to reinstall a boot because the sheet metal is crimped.

e.g. sloshing it in a bucket of thinner is usually the recommended way to clean them.

If you can find a universal boot that fits the axle shaft and the cup it can be reassembled. Just be super careful when handling because the CV joint balls pop out if you flex it too far. Once it's in the car the suspension limits motion so it won't fall apart.

Sorry I don't check the forums every three hours. I'll try to be more attentive to your needs in the future.

[RufNutt]

Thanks for the reply , sorry if you took me as demanding, I know people have other lives . My point was after reading for most of the winter that it could not come apart . I was hoping someone might have found a miracle work around LOL

Originally Posted by Brian86

The sheet metal cover between the spline/spindle/cup section and the boot is crimped into place around the cup. Removal is destructive. The sheet metal cone is designed to limit the movement of the CV joint so the balls don't fall out of place when handling outside the car.

Once the sheet metal portion of the boot is off the CV joint just falls apart when bent about 30deg. Unfortunately there is no practical way to reinstall a boot because the sheet metal is crimped.

e.g. sloshing it in a bucket of thinner is usually the recommended way to clean them.

If you can find a universal boot that fits the axle shaft and the cup it can be reassembled. Just be super careful when handling because the CV joint balls pop out if you flex it too far. Once it's in the car the suspension limits motion so it won't fall apart.

Sorry I don't check the forums every three hours. I'll try to be more attentive to your needs in the future.

[Brian86]

From a practical standpoint... the CV joints on these cars are very very robust.

Personally I wouldn't try to flush it out. The thinner breaks down the grease, but without fully cleaning it leaves lubricant that has been degraded by the thinner inside the joint.

I'd just pack some additional grease in, put new boots on and call it a day. I'd only disassemble and clean fully if it was a track car or had a bunch of extra horsepower & tire.