Got to share this "story"

I just bought a 95 runner that needed a new CV boot. Well I decied to replace the whole shaft instead of just the boot, for the price it certainly makes sense.

Anyway read the repair manual and install instructions and seemed very strait forward and a fairly easy installed. THEY LIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

After about 6 to 7 hours I got the !@#*&*! thing in. I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer but have a fair amount of ability when using my hands. I finally yanked the thing out after pulling off the upper ball joint, disconnecting the sway bar and bending two tools trying to pry the upper a arm up (because I could not get the ball joint to drop).

I had grease all over the garage, the wife is not happy but will not say anything for fear of a nuclear explosion, the kids unfortunately learned a few more words (yes the door was shut but it did open a couple of times when the wife had to go into the house to laugh) and I don't use that type of language around the kids.

Am I alone in this or have any of you hit this unexpected joyful experience?

 

hmmm, it's pretty easy when the front end is COMPLETELY taken apart




but there was a thread not too long ago about replacing them without really removing much else

if I recall correctly, it was still a major PITA though

I think it involved some sort of trick like turning the wheel all the way in a certain direction or something...



Wabbit you're on a role with the title edits tonight, aren't you

 

pain in the a@@.but never taken me that long.learn from you mistakes.those intruction make it appear as if it will just jump out of the hub and a new one will hop back in

 

I can do a CV axle in about an hour, start to driving.

Why would you mess around with the upper ball joint? Next time, just undo the lower ball joint and swing the spindle assy out.

 

thats what I did.. super easy.
Sorry that was such a PITA!

 

The point where the tulip joint bolts is different on mine than in your picture. The relife pints are more angular and not as deep, that may be part of my problem.

I tried to unbolt the bottom but could not get it to move either. Looking back it was probably because I had not yet removed the sway bar.

1 hour huh, I hate you, my wife wants you, and the kids envy your kids.

 

1 hour, that's impressive DC. How do you fare in the field?

 

Everyones wife wants me. Its just a part of life.

Keep in mind, thats just one CV though. Both sides takes a little longer

But i know some tricks of the trade

In the field, without air? Maybe 2-3 hours. Not sure, I have never done a field repair.

 

^ things are so much easier the second time around... or in your case.. the 100th?

 

air?

you cheater...

I did my whole front end rebuild with a handfull of sockets, wrenches, and ratchet, a hammer, and my good ol pitman-arm remover

it did take me all of a day though

 

Sucker

I have an elec impact gun, and its such a time saver. I recently got myself set up for air I just need to clear some room for my compresser

 

some air would be really nice, but so far I've been able to muscle everything no problem

 

im glad to hear u actually did it yourself, its a good learning experience. just my opinion, but i feel that if u own a car, u should know how to fix it

 

haha, I can out muscle my elec impact gun, easily by hand With a breaker bar that is

 

thank you SO MUCH for saying that 85, I wish everyone had that mentality

I've had to wrench on every vehicle I've ever owned to keep it going

I learned a lot from my father, but the majority of my automotive knowedge is self tought from first-hand experience

 

Those cheesy autozone commercials bring a tear to my eye

 

lol

well, it's the honest truth Jay

 

Electric impact gun FTW!

I use one at the track on race days

 

Oh, right, still no OBA. I didn't find the CVs that tought to replace. Maybe 2-3hrs a side, including doing the boots. The trick for me was to fully stuff the wheel on the side I was working on.

 

Haha! right, rub it in some more

As much as OBA would be beautiful, I really want to have working A/C.... who knows....

Best way I found to full stuff the wheel, is to jack up the rear opposite wheel (i.e working on drivers side front, jack up passenger side rear), that way you can really get as much force on the front suspension (to make it as flat as possible)..