dumb CV boot questions
 

(going by Clark's CV joint entries here...)

1.
there's an external snap ring (?) on the end of the CV joint. The same snap ring appears to be in the Loebro CV boot kit from Pelican. there are no holes in this snap ring. Do I understand that a normal pair of snap ring pliers with the cylindrical tabs on the end will remove this snap ring?

2. would a sealant - perhaps non-hardening form-a-gasket type - be helpful to keep grease inside the boot by applying the sealant on the inner rim of the metal part of the boot and also maybe the narrow rubber part?

3.
not about the boot, but : what is the consequence of attaching the axle to the tranny or the hub without having the holes aligned as during disassembly?

1. I've used a flat screw driver to pop those off. But there are circlip pliers that have flat and wide ends made for clips like that.

2. No, you want it clean and dry and with the clamps the grease won't really end up in those areas as centripetal force will pull the grease into the wider areas of the boot.

<del>ok, what is the shape like? I am having trouble finding anything different from the usual cylindrical tab ends... is there a certain name?</del>... I seem to have a lead:

http://store.snapon.com/Snap-Ring-Pliers-Pliers-External-Snap-Ring-Notched-Tips-P635954.aspx

ah, that makes sense ... except for the greasy mess on the control arm.

Like these:

KNIPEX - The Pliers Company. - Products

Here's a link that might be useful:

http://volksweb.relitech.com/cvjoints.htm

thanks fiat22turbo!

Is the tube of grease in the Löebro kit plenty for one joint, or barely enough?

i.e. should I get a separate container of grease?

You want about 100 grams per joint. Does it say how much is in the kit?

80g

also the - hey, the site is spiffed up, neat! - concave washer in the kit does not have teeth on the i.d. - the original washer has teeth that ride in the splines as it goes on/off.

still I think I'm going to try putting a thin layer of a gasket maker between the shaft and boot, and between outer race and the metal part of the boot.

Meh, I think you will just get sealer boogers in your grease. Probably won't matter though.

I wouldn't. It won't do anything beneficial.