Has anyone here replaced a CV boot on their car?

[tridim]

I just spent 3 hours freeing the axle from the hub, and when I got it off there was no apparent way to get the new boot on the joint. I'm getting the feeling that I'd have to pull the whole axle and pull the CV joint to get the boot on. Can I stretch the small end of the boot over the joint? It's about 10 times the diameter of the axle, but the boot is neoprene so it might stretch that far. Any hints would be appreciated.

[wyldwolf]

1. hell... pure bloody hell...

...you're better off paying for the job to be done.

Sweatier and more frustrating than dropping a transmission.

[tridim]

3. That's the plan at this point..

Everything is put back together minus the boot. Well, I did bust a ball joint seal or two as well, so that's going to cost me too. I figure I can drive a few miles to the shop without the boot.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Expert advice

You need to get the joint off the axle. Generally they knock off-there is a spring clip attached you hit with a hammer. Slide the new boot on the axle, put the joint back in, and clean it all up.

This is advice from my husband, who has been a mechanic for over 30 years and is ASE certified master.

DON'T try slipping the boot over. Won't work.

[kerryin2004]

4. I did it on my Isuzu

I remember it being a pain in the ass, but I followed the instructions in the book I picked up at Pep Boys and everything went according to the instructions in the book.