Can I remove CV boot without removing the driveshaft? Just trying to replace the outer cv boot, dont want to remove the driveshaft. Possible?

 

the boot slides over that shaft so you def need to take the shaft out the hub side.

 

There's this but I dunno how well it works: http://www.ecstuning.com/Audi-B5_A4-...oot/ES1899405/

 

I could swear I've seen ones that like zip or button up. I'd never use them tho. Do you have s ripped boot or what?

 

Yeah my boot is ripped and all the grease is coming out.

The knuckle assembly is off right now. Could I not just break the clamps of the old boot, cut the boot off, then drive off the outer end of the driveshaft? Does the outer end come off? If it comes of I can easily do this without removing it from the tranny...

Thoughts?

 

The outer joint comes off easily. You just thread the old axle bolt back into it directly (with no knuckle there) and it will push off. Clean the joint and the axle thoroughly. Take off old boot, put on new boot, pack CV grease, get joint on as much as you can by hand, thread old axle bolt (if it's not f-ed up) most but not all of the way into the joint, hold it straight and hammer on the joint using the bolt. Do not hit it super hard but be pretty firm. When you reassemble, use the new axle bolt. If you hear "ssssss" air sounds then your inner boot is ripped, too.

There's a full guide on audidiy... just ignore how it recommends to remove the whole half-shaft. You don't need to.

 

I use either a gear puller or slide hammer, then the cv joint pulls right off the shaft. You can buy those boots that bolt together, but they always leak.

 

I was thinking about the slide hammer idea, but does threading the axle bolt back on not work for you? I've only tried it twice now but it's worked both times. Maybe you've had less good luck?

 

Sweet deal, ty dragonrage.

 

Hey, Dragonrage! I know this thread is 4 years old, but I just wanted to say thank you for the axle bolt tip. You just saved me a lot of head scratching and extra work.