1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
depending on whether or not the splines have loctite on them:
The most important tool for this job is an automotive slide hammer (with hub attachment).
After you've jacked the car and removed the wheel (jack stands = safety first!)
*Remove the bottom bolt on the tie rod end and disconnect it
If necessary, use a rather large hammer to strike the "eye" once or twice and it should pop right out. Never hit the tie rod, just the part with the hole in it connecting it to the hub assembly.
*Remove the three bolts holding the ball joint and now the front should be free to move about. Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the rubber things securing the brake line and ABS cable. Just disconnect those for more freedom.
*If the boot is torn/split you should be able to see inside, if not pull the boot back so you can see.
*Look/feel through the grease for the clip which holds it together. I find that using a can of compressed air to blow the grease out of the way really helps.
*Open the clip and slide it out the groove. If I recall correctly, there's very little room for it to move and it may keep returning to the groove because of the slippery grease. You may have to hold the clip open while trying to separate the junction.
*With a large mallet, hit the back side of the hub assembly and it should come apart. Alternatively, you can use a slide hammer. Now you can change the boot. If it does not come loose, read further...
*If you are fortunate (read: unfortunate) to have loctite applied on the splines at the factory, things get a bit more complicated. It all comes down to having the right tool: an automotive slide hammer (a very good investment) and something to keep the driveshaft from moving while slide hammering outwards. The slide hammer part is easy. Figuring out how to hold the driveshaft requires more creative thinking. HTH
posted by 193.163....
->Posting last edited on Sat, 25 Apr 2015 08:21:45.
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