Separating CV joint from the axels

[Jonnyb416]

Hi all, I need to get the CV joints off to replace the boos. Last time I used my mates vice and whacked it out but I don't have access to that at the moment. Other than ask a local garage who will only charge me a bomb I have read you can use a 2 arm gear puller. I don't mind buying one as it's a tool for the collection.

Does anyone know if this will suffice?

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 1686721568" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks, Jon.

[lloydy]

Have you actually just tried to pull them off with your hands? Mine come off pretty easy. If they won't budge a hammer and a brass drift on the inner race should get them off

[clift_d]

With ours I just 'tapped' the shaft end with a brass drift and hammer and it normally came out no problem. Otherwise you could hold the shaft in a vice with the CV joint facing down and tap the inner race down with hammer and brass drift.

The key thing is to only contact the shaft end in particular with the brass drift to avoid distorting the end of the shaft in which case you'll never get the CV joint off.

[Jonnyb416]

They are stuck fast. I changed the other side a few years back and it took a good few whacks whilst held in a vice bolted to a very heavy bench. Tried the same method today but don't have anything substantial to hold it in.

Would this be ok? Never used one but I think I can see how it would work.

http://m.screwfix.com/p/hilka-pro-craft ... 510?_bck=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CovKid]

If you're replacing them, just put the axle on the ground, put your foot on the bar and whack the inner race with a big cold chisel and a big lump hammer. If you've removed the circlip - it WILL come off.

[guavajelly]

the 2 (or 3) arm gear puller is a nice tool to have. A couple of my CV joints come off rather easily whilst the others are a pain. Over the last decade I've had to to replace boots 3 times and the gear puller is handy, and well worth the price.

[Jonnyb416]

If you're replacing them, just put the axle on the ground, put your foot on the bar and whack the inner race with a big cold chisel and a big lump hammer. If you've removed the circlip - it WILL come off.

Thanks. I am changing the boots only. I always thought these were sort of pressed on due to mine being on so tight. Honestly, the other side needed some big whacks to free up! I am going to try the gear puller. If it doesn't work I can always send it back.

[Smcknighty]

Cheap (all?) gear pullers do break if you rush them. Slowly slowly on adding the tension. Heat, cold, penetrating oil, quick tap with the hammer will all help alongside. all things must come apart eventually!

[Jonnyb416]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I did use the gear puller and it was successful. It took quite a lot of effort to turn but I could see it moving so all in all a job well done. Not bad for £11. I do have a vice but it's not big enough to allow the axel to hang vertically and it's only bolted to a homemade wooden bench so it wasn't up for the job of whacking it. Here's a picture....

[Oldiebut goodie]

I got fed up with those silly pullers - most have too coarse a thread to be of much use. I bought a 10 ton hydraulic puller, everything is a piece of cake now. It even removed a tiller arm from a rudder stock that had been in place for 20 years in salt and what goes into a Thomas Crapper. I had previously bent a reasonable normal puller on it first.

[Jonnyb416]

I do admit it doesn't look or feel like the most substantial piece of kit and I doubt il ever use it again. If it wasn't so full of grease I'd take it back. Still, it's an option should anyone find themselves in my position.