I have been doing a CV boot job for a few days now. I am so close to done but now, I am stuck, again.

The outer joint won't "tap" off like the book says. I spread the circlip and it bent and finally about a third of it snapped off due to some pulling and tugging. The bloody joint won't free from the shaft like I need it to.

Any ideas?? Is it stuck because I had to wail on the axle to get it out of the hub?

I have the inner joint off and am working with the short axle and the joint.

Much thanks in advance!!

I doubt it's stuck due to pounding the shaft from the hub BUT that clip you're referring to isn't suppose to be removed, just spread opened enough so that while tapping on the outer part of the joint, the joint with clip then moves past the groove that keeps the clip in place. The best tool to do that with is a special type pliers with a widened end on it to spread and hold that clip apart while tapping. Another alternative is a larger screwdriver but it's not a good choice really as that rarely holds that clip apart enough thus the joint doesn't move as you're now experiencing. Now.....IF you've broken that clip and it's stuck in that groove, even part of it, there's simply no way in hell that you'll ever get that joint to move. If that's the case, it's time to buy a reman CV shaft from a parts place that sells them and some are fairly reasonable.

Fred,

Thank you for giving me the motivation to free the joint. I couldn't take no for an answer.

I was able to free the joint and shaft using a bench vice, some soft wood blocks and brute force. I set up the blocks on top of the vice and closed the jaws leaving enough room to move the axle. I grabbed the axle from below and raised and lowered it quickly, and hard, against the wood blocks. On the fifth blow, it came free. I was very happy.

After a good cleaning and inspection the joint looked good so I rebuilt it.

The 850 is back on the road. Now I will approach the other side better prepared.

Thanks

FYI...I am preparing to replace the shaft on drivers side of my 93...advanced (or maybe it was auto zone) sells reman for something like $79...to me that is not worth rebuilding for that price!!