HELP! Re-assembling CV Joints
 

I'm trying to get my CV joints back on the axle but I can't seem to slide them on far enough for the c-clip to take hold in its groove. I read in another thread that it's very difficult to get the c-clip back on unless you leave the concave washer off. Any thoughts on this?

yeah...I got my Cv on with the washer...

get a paper back book, and rest the other end of the half shaft on it...(that way you don't mess up the splines)

then with a rubber mallet lightly whack on the CV joint to get it to seat properly...what woul dbe best is to have something that looks like a doughnut place it over the CV joint and hammer straight down...that way you don't cock the CV to one side....

if you still have trouble slide the CV off...and with a toothpick clean all the spines...there may be some grit or sand...

be gentle with the hammer...you could also use intertia and drop the half shaft straight down on the book, and see if the CV joint will settle that way...

Lastly...get a thin screwdriver...slip it in the slot for the circlip, and pry the CV joint down...just be careful you don't damge the groove or the CV joint...usually the CV joint is down halfway so that you can see the groove, but it is not wide enough for the clip...so prying it down helps get that last 1mm of clearance

MJ

Oh yeah...clean out the groove for the circlip too...

Since I don't have a press, I have placed the snap ring on top of the CV joint. Then with a large deep well socket on top of the ring and a couple of good hits with a hammer, the ring slips into place. Maybe not the best way, but it worked :)

I w/Jim on this. If it doesn't seat the ring use a bigger hammer.

Thanks gents,
I tried MJ's suggestion but they still wouldn't go on. I had to "pursuade" them with a hammer and a socket over the c-clips.
Cheers,
Ron