I have to pull my CV half shaft on the passenger side since I found the torn inner boot. I know I need the 54mm socket (2 1/8") to take the nut off the end and I plan to replace the studs on the inner side with bolts of the right size so I won't have to work so hard in the future. Anyone seen a good writeup for me to look at?

 

Well I had to stop by Sears today to have a 3/8 ratchet and assorted other tools replaced so I picked up the 2 1/8 socket and 3/4" to 1/2" adapter while I was there.

 

Here is a bad one. Let me see if I can locate a better one.

 

Victor! If you're only doing the CV boot you dont need the 2 1/8 inch socket. You only need that to take the rotor etc off to do the wheel bearings. once you've disconnected the inner tulip, remove the hub centre cap and then the 12mm golden bolt an d washer. The whole driveshaft should slip out. May help if you remove the sway bar connecting rods as they get in the way a bit. Damn messy job, Did it recently.Shouldnt have to do it for a long time (touch wood) now i have my manual hubs!Hope i helped a little!

 

Victor, i just did mine about a month ago, and you DO have to have that 54mm socket, unless you wanna booger up the axle nuts. I will tell you the hardest part for me was getting the flange nuts (near the diff) loose, because that thing wants to sping and it was hard to get good torque on them. just be patient though and use liquid wrench and they will come off. once you have the assembly loose.... before you try to take off the assembly... use a bottle jack or something to straighten the A-arm as much as you can. the straighter you can get that shaft assembly, the easier it comes out. Take it easy man, and good luck

 

How did i manage to do it without one then! Must ahve been dreaming, or else i'm misinterpreting the question!

 

Good question, if you didn't take the axlenut off... i have no idea how you even got the rotors off...

 

Oh i see now! I didnt take the rotors off to get the driveshaft out. I just unbolted the tulip undid the bolt and washer at the end of the driveshaft and pulled it out. I did jack up the control arm like you say to help it slide out easier! Obviously we had crossed wires!

 

Did anyone find or make a satisfactory write-up on this?

I do not want to blow any CV's this summer, but I want to be prepared.

Any point to swapping the studs for bolts right now with the CV's still on the truck so that if it blows it will be easy?

I remember reading someone doing this on the trail in about 15 or so with the tire on and no jack.

Bueller, anyone?

 

Knocking out the studs and putting in the bolts helped a ton. I used a jack under the lower a-arm to raise it slightly. That lined up everything and the old CV half shaft fell out. If the studs were there I think I would have had to undo the lower A-arm.