Does the outer CV joint really not disassemble??
 

For peace of mind, I replaced the IMS bearing on my 2000 Boxster S, and am doing as many other preventative maintenance tasks as I can think of that are easier with the transmission out. I pulled both axles and am starting the process of disassembling the CV joints to clean, repack, and replace their boots. Got the first inner joint apart and cleaned. Pretty easy after watching this youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsytyVzokBg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335840933.jpg

Now, I'm turning my attention to the first outer CV joint:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1335840978.jpg

The video doesn't cover this joint, and most of the references in the Porsche forums talk about cleaning the joint in place. I'd really like to disassemble it and inspect it before repacking. Hard to believe they made one joint so you could pull it apart, clean and inspect it, but not the other joint.

Anybody know if there's a method to disassemble the outer joint?

Outer joint does not come apart. When I cleaned and repacked mine I poured fresh cleaner into a bucket. I then used a churning butter motion to work the cleaner into the joint.

I went through a few cans of cleaner until I was able to get all the old grease out of the joint. It takes a long time if you don't have a parts washer.

Once I saw the steel balls were nice and squeeky clean I repacked it.

Agrhhhhhhhh. Ok. That's the path I'm going to take . . .

If the booth isn't torn, why are you doing this? The potential to do harm is much greater than any good that might come out of it.

Pouring solvent into a bucket and stirring up with the end of your half-shaft can easily contaminate the inside of that CV joint with some hard, abrasive stuff (grits of sand).

Put the booth back on; clean the outside really good; remove the booth; scoop out as much of the old grease with a clean spatula of some sort, while making sure not to contaminate it with dirt; repack with fresh grease; reassemble and enjoy.

If you are concerned with the fresh grease being compatible with the old, simply buy your CV grease from a Porsche dealer. This is what Porsche mechanics do when they repack CV joints.

Of course, if the booth was torn, that's a different story. :(

Kerosene or diesel is a good cleaner. Dissolves the grease very well. I used kerosene on both sides to wash a few times and then a couple of rinses with clean kerosene again. My boot was torn so I cleaned it out well. If you suspect there is dirt in there then clean it. I don't see any harm in that. Make sure you rinse out well and dry before greasing. May have to use some nylon brush to get into the groves of the wheel side joint. Then pack the heck out of it. I used swepco 101. You will need about 3-4 of them for a good packing. Around 10 bucks each.