Hi, I have push in type drive shafts from the Sierra. They look good and sound. I have cleaned them nicely, and other than replacing the rubber gaiters I didn't plan to do anything else with them (painting and cleaning of course planned).

But I can not replace the gaiters without taking the thing apart that - as far as I understand - requires to saw through the CV metal shield, taking it off, taking the CV part apart and then putting back together with new CV shield.
Or is there an easier method to replace the gaiters?

Or should I just take a deep breath and do it properly and clean the internals as well? In which case: what are parts I ned to replace? I guess the gaiters, the metal shields, large plastic o-rings, gaiter securing clips.
Thanks!
Gergely

When you'r buying your boots ask for the 'flexi boot' version these will with a bit of persuasion, some lube and a cone of suitable size slide over the joint from the outer end so you dont have to take the actual joint and balls apart.

If you dont have a cone of the right size you can fashion one drom an ice cream tub or use levers to push it over the joint, dont use screwdrivers - they hurt your fingers when they slip off

I am doing the later but haing problems finding new shields i have tried stretching the gator over the shield but its not having it

It took me about 3 hours to do the boots on mine!

apparently the ford kits come with the metal shields. I had to modify the code I bought, by sawing off the bottom 3 inches so it wasn't too wide.... that was without the special stretchy boots - turn them inside out, heat them in front of an electric heater, grease the cone and the inside of the boot well (I used moly grease as I had some to hand, but it was prob. too thick. vegetable oil would probably work well, and isn't black

clamp the shaft in the vice and then put the cone on the end (getting someone else to steady the cone is also useful) and give it an almighty heave. I felt likt I'd done two hours in the gym when I'd finished

HTH


Vince

I got mine from a ford dealer but they said they can no longer get the original ford parts so i had to have third party which dont come with the metal.

I got some digger grease yesterday so going to try the heat and stretch method

Thanks all! Vince I checked your build diary as well and I get it now.
I can also only get third party stuff, so I will try the stretching method.
If it works it will save me plenty of time - especially now the metal shields are completely clean and shiny...
Thanks guys!
Gergely

Id just like to report after an hour with a cone some grease and a heater the net result of stretching a CV boot was it split in half

Not very encouraging... I have cleaned the half shafts and I will get to the stretching bit this weekend... See what happens... I will report!