How to remove cv joints - 1988 Subaru DL

Which vehicle are you working on?

Some of these CV-joints are designed with an outside circlip. An example of such a setup would be on an Opel/Vauxhall. On cars like these with an outside circlip it is possible, after cleaning the grease to actually see the circlip and with a good quality circlip pliers, it is possible to expand the circlip sufficiently to remove the outer CV- joint with a sharp tap while keeping circlip expanded all whilst the CV- joint is still attached to the vehicle on the inner side.

On other designed CV- joints the circlip sits on the inside of the CV joint. In other words you cannot see the circlip at all. If it is such a design then the compete CV- joint unfortunately has to be removed.

Why it has to be removed if it an inside designed circlip?

Well in most cases it requires a rather sharp tap of a rubberized hammer on the outer CV to remove it from the drive shaft. This is not possible whilst the CV-joint is attached as damage to inner CV flange is very likely.

Use a prybar to remove the CV joint, place against hosing and gently pry to release CV.
This is assuming you have un bolted the necessary front end parts prior to removing the CV joint.

I would replace the complete axle assembly,
it would be cheaper and come with a warranty.

Instructions

1. Remove the CV Joint
   • Remove the boot straps from the CV joint using a standard screwdriver or a pair of diagonal cutting pliers.
   • Slide the boot back over the interconnecting shaft.

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     Detach the stop ring at the base of the CV joint assembly using a pair of snap ring pliers.
     

   • Pull the CV joint assembly from the interconnecting shaft to force the snap ring at the top of the shaft through the CV joint assembly.
   • Tilt the inner cage (the cage holding the balls in place inside the housing) in different angles to remove the six balls. Use your thumb or a hammer and a wooden dowel, if necessary.
   • Tilt the inner cage enough to remove it from its housing.
   • Rotate the race inside the cage--the part that holds the balls against the inner cage--and remove the race from the cage.
     Replace the CV Joint
     • Apply a thick coat of grease to the new CV joint race using special high temperature/high pressure grease (see Tips below).
     • Install the race inside the new cage. Then install the cage/race assembly inside the CV joint housing.
     • Tilt the cage at different angles and fit the new balls in place.
     • Slide a new CV joint rubber boot over the interconnecting shaft.
     • Install a new snap and stop ring on the interconnecting shaft.
     • Push the interconnecting shaft through the CV joint assembly to force the snap ring through the assembly.
     • Apply a thick coat of CV joint grease to all moving parts of the assembly.
     • Apply a coat of CV joint grease to the inside of the rubber boot. Then slide the boot over the CV joint assembly.
     • Install the boot straps at each end of the boot, and tighten the straps using a clamp tool or screwdriver, depending on the type of clamp.
     
     
     

mark the relationship of the inner cv joint to the flange.place a large screw driver between wheel studs hold driveaxle and remove the inner cv joint to axleshaft flange nuts remove the freewheel hub remove the driveaxle snap ring and spacer pull the inner cv joint off the axleshaft flange studs lower the inner cv joint and pull the driveaxle assembly out of the steering knuckle.let me know if this helps.

One would have to remove the half shaft to service the cv joint properly.

CV-Joints Overhaul Check the CV-boot for wear

Removing the outer band from the CV-boot

Removing the inner band from the CV-boot

Removing the CV-boot from the joint housing

Clean the CV-joint housing prior to removing boot

Removing the CV-joint housing assembly

Removing the CV-joint

Inspecting the CV-joint housing

Removing the CV-joint outer snapring

Checking the CV-joint snapring for wear

CV-joint snapring (typical)

Removing the CV-joint assembly

Removing the CV-joint inner snapring

Installing the CV-joint assembly (typical)

CV-Joints
Overhaul
These vehicles use several different types of joints. Engine size, transaxle
type, whether the joint is an inboard or outboard joint, even which side of the
vehicle is being serviced could make a difference in joint type. Be sure to
properly identify the joint before attempting joint or boot replacement. Look
for identification numbers at the large end of the boots and/or on the end of
the metal retainer bands.

The 3 types of joints used are the Birfield Joint, (B.J.), the Tripod Joint
(T.J.) and the Double Offset Joint (D.O.J.).

NOTE: Do not disassemble a Birfield joint. Service with a new joint or
clean and repack using a new boot kit.

The distance between the large and small boot bands is important and should
be checked prior to and after boot service. This is so the boot will not be
installed either too loose or too tight, which could cause early wear and
cracking, allowing the grease to get out and water and dirt in, leading to early
joint failure.

NOTE: The driveshaft joints use special grease; do not add any grease
other than that supplied with the kit.

Double Offset Joint
To Remove:

NOTE: The Double Offset Joint (D.O.J.) is bigger than other joints
and, in these applications, is normally used as an inboard joint.

1. Remove the halfshaft from the vehicle.
   
2. Side cutter pliers can be used to cut the metal retaining bands. Remove the
   boot from the joint outer race.
   
3. Locate and remove the large circlip at the base of the joint. Remove the
   outer race (the body of the joint).
   
4. Remove the small snap ring and take off the inner race, cage and balls as an
   assembly. Clean the inner race, cage and balls without disassembling.
   
5. If the boot is to be reused, wipe the grease from the splines and wrap the
   splines in vinyl tape before sliding the boot from the shaft.
   
6. Remove the inner (D.O.J.) boot from the shaft. If the outer (B.J.) boot is
   to be replaced, remove the boot retainer rings and slide the boot down and off
   of the shaft at this time.

To Install:

NOTE: Be sure to tape the shaft splines before installing the boots.
Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease. Often the grease supplied
in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half being
used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot.

1. Install the cage onto the halfshaft so the small diameter side of the cage
   is installed first. With a brass drift pin, tap lightly and evenly around the
   inner race to install the race until it comes into contact with the rib of the
   shaft. Apply the specified grease to the inner race and cage and fit them
   together. Insert the balls into the cage.
   
2. Install the outer race (the body of the joint) after filling with the
   specified grease. The outer race should be filled with this grease.
   
3. Tighten the boot bands securely. Make sure the distance between the boot
   bands is correct.
   
4. Install the halfshaft to the vehicle.

Except Double Offset Joint
To Remove:

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Remove the halfshaft.
   
2. Use side cutter pliers to remove the metal retaining bands from the boot(s)
   that will be removed. Slide the boot from the T.J. case.
   
3. Remove the snap ring and the tripod joint spider assembly from the
   halfshaft. Do not disassemble the spider and use care in handling.
   
4. If the boot is be reused, wrap vinyl tape around the spline part of the
   shaft so the boot(s) will not be damaged when removed. Remove the dynamic
   damper, if used, and the boots from the shaft.

To Install:

1. Double check that the correct replacement parts are being installed. Wrap
   vinyl tape around the splines to protect the boot and install the boots and
   damper, if used, in the correct order.
   
2. Install the joint spider assembly to the shaft and install the snap ring.
   
3. Fill the inside of the boot with the specified grease. Often the grease
   supplied in the replacement parts kit is meant to be divided in half, with half
   being used to lubricate the joint and half being used inside the boot. Keep
   grease off the rubber part of the dynamic damper (if used).
   
4. Secure the boot bands with the halfshaft in a horizontal position. Make sure
   distance between boot bands is correct.
   
5. Install the halfshaft to the vehicle and reconnect the negative battery
   cable.

Check the CV-boot for wear









Removing the outer band from the CV-boot









Removing the inner band from the CV-boot









Removing the CV-boot from the joint housing









Clean the CV-joint housing prior to removing boot









Removing the CV-joint housing assembly









Removing the CV-joint









Inspecting the CV-joint housing









Removing the CV-joint outer snap ring









Checking the CV-joint snap ring for wear









CV-joint snap ring (typical)









Removing the CV-joint assembly









Removing the CV-joint inner snap ring









Installing the CV-joint assembly (typical)

jack up vehicle, remove wheel, remove split pin from hub nut, remove nut, remove lower ball joint nut & separate ball joint, lever lower arm down, pull hub forward while pushing cv joint in wards through hub, remove cv gaiter clips and slide back on shaft, hold shaft firmly and knock cv joint off with hammer, pack new joint with grease, and place on shaft with nut on threads carefully knock on with hammer, re-fit parts in reverse order

Remove steering joint.Then bottom ball joint then you should be ok.

athere is a snap ring within the CV joint the nedds to be spread OPEN to release CV joint from axle, Once CV is cleaned and repacked with grease rintall onto axle by again spreading apart clamp. Prior to installing CV joint slide NEW CV joint boot onto axle, Cleanly intall add'l grrease and reinstall CV boot.

Not to bad you will need a ball joint spreader. some sockets wrench's.prybar.Remove the tire then loosen cv bolt. Remove brake caliber and bracket.re move ball joint nut.Remove steering rod nut.Get the ball joint spreader an remove steering rod then remove the ball-joint.Take the cv bolt off grab the strut and pull outward .With a rubber mallet knock cv out of housing.The remove from transmission.you my have pry a little.