cv joint boot tools recommendation and observation.

[47silver]

Hi

What a project! A stone or piece of wood hit the cv joint and cut the drivers side outer boot. Since the grease was thrown everywhere I decided to repack the cv joints and to do this properly i also removed the hub (mid year hubs can be disconnected from the CV joint so i did not really have to do it) but since i removed the hub i had to replace the bearing as removing the hub destroys the bearing.

The CV joint is written about elsewhere but I thought that my tool list and observations would be helpful to someone who wanted to tackle this project.

Tools: beside the normal tools.

1. a 3/4 inch metric socket set-Harbor freight-5494-0VGA 59.99
2. a front wheel bearing puller kit- Harbor Freight-FWD Front Wheel Bearing Adapters-66829-1VGA $79.99
3. 8 inche three jaw puller-hf-40970-0VGA 13.99
4. 2 gallows of oil eater and tub for cleaning.

All told the parts where under$125 (2 bearings, gaskets, snoor washers, tools were $150.00 but i have them for the future and i would guess that this work would cost? $1000? in a shop?

I dont know how you can do this project without these tools or similar.
The socket set is used to get the wheel nut off/on, the shock bolt off/on and is used on the bearing puller nut. The torque required to do this is tremendous.

The bearing puller kit has the exact size adapters for the rear wheel of the 911. Get it if you want to remove these bearings. It worked flawlessly and the bearing came out and went in without any heat. (I did freeze the bearing for a couple of days).
The 3 jaw puller was able to pull the race off of the hub once i had moved it slightly so that the jaws could grab.

The 3 jaw puller also removed the ball bearing race that was on the CV axle.

I also think that the 3 jaw puller can remove the hub if the cv is left in the car. I removed the cv before hand so i had to use 2 crowbars and much work to get it off of the bearing.

I think that these are very worthwhile tools for the bearings and and rear wheel work. The FWD bearing puller is well made and the nut used to pull out and pull in the bearing is substantial, i bought the plumbing and electrical parts that are described on another thread but they were to paltry i thought for the task of removing the bearing without heat.

One note on the CV bearings. The race and ball bearings can go into the outer part of the cv joint incorrectly and the joint wont flex. I reviewed the pictures on this site and realized that i had the bearings installed wrong. I can only say that it is imperative that you review the photos on the cv installation drawings to realize what i am talking about.....

When putting the hub back on i found that you have to raise the rear trailing arm with a hydraulic jack so that the axle shaft protrudes through the bearing to allow the nut to pull the hub onto the bearing. Seems obvious but it took me a while to figure that out.

The mid year cars use 48 mm bolts. Don't use 50 MM on the outside CV connection as they will scrape. (Yes i found this out). Use only the 48 MM on the outside CV joints. 50 MM can be used on the inside from what i see as there is more room.

It took me over 12 hours to do one cv joint and wheel bearing. Though that included sanding and cleaning and other work that needed done while it was on the lift. I have a mid rise lift so it made is somewhat easier to do.

I was so full of grease and dirt that i could not take any photos.

Took it for a ride and the slight rubbing noise i used to hear on right hand turns is gone.
Well worth the time and effort.