Syncro CV Boot Repair

[Adventurewagen]

I've got a quick question. I'm trying to replace the front inner CV boot on my new 86 Syncro but running into problems.

I can't get enough clearance to pull the CV joint off the axle so that I can slide on the new boot.

I'm new to Vanagons and Syncro's and I don't yet have a Bentley so I'm stuck with my CV now half apart in my driveway.

Do I have to pull the whole axle? If I do can I do it without replacing the outer CV boot? Do I need to drop the front diff or something?

If I have to pull the axle can anyone give me a quick rundown on how to pull the outer boot.

I've turned the wheel and jacked up the bus but still no luck. So much for this being as easy as the CV's on my other VW's.
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63 Gulf Blue Notch
71 Sierra Yellow Adventurewagen

[Dogpilot]

I am unclear, are you replacing the CV boot to the wheel or to the front differential? The one to the wheel comes of via removing the nut on the outside of the wheel hub.

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Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[Adventurewagen]

The CV to the front diff is what I'm trying to replace. I was hoping to have the clearance to just pull the retaining ring and do a quicker half axle repair but I don't have clearance with the front diff in the way to get it off.

Edit: So the end nut was 30mm and came off without a problem.

Now... How do I get the clearance to pull the axle off the van? The outer CV is sliding in and out just fine but I can get it out around the front differential on the inside.
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63 Gulf Blue Notch
71 Sierra Yellow Adventurewagen

[fairweather]

[Adventurewagen]

Thanks guys. I finally got the axle to clear with the wheel pointing dead ahead. I then jacked up that side of the bus and got the entire joint to slide out of the wheel side.

To get the entire joint free though I had to pull the swaybar links on both sides and then it was just a matter of sliding out the joint.

My only problem now is that the CV is stuck on the axle really good.

Any ideas on getting that off?
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63 Gulf Blue Notch
71 Sierra Yellow Adventurewagen

[Dogpilot]

An air hammer, like a 3x rivet gun works. If you don't have one, perhaps you can take it down to a shop and have them beat it off with one.
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Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[Adventurewagen]

Well I got the job done

After getting the axle out the CV was stuck so I used a hammer and flat chisel and tapped it off. What a mess!

Then after cleaning everything I pulled on the new boot and hammered the joint back on then packed it full of grease.

The only problem was the damn CV kit. Lame ass EMPI POS... They didn't send new bolts?!? WTF. So I had to go steal some new bolts from a kit for my 71 that wasn't as crap as this kit was.

Now I'll just have to go find the right bolts for the remaining CV joints as I replace those.

Next up, fixing the gas and temp gauge
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63 Gulf Blue Notch
71 Sierra Yellow Adventurewagen

[HeftySmurf]

Just ran into the smae BS, $265 for a new axle and no new bolts
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-Lorenzo
90 GL w/ Bostig

[ranchero]

I just did mine following Fairweather's advice. Worked like a charm. Loosen the upper ball joint axle/spindle - the big nut - before removing the upper bolts that mount it to the control arm. Then you can use a pickle fork to separate it from the wheel bearing housing.

[Broke-again]

I removed the upper ball joint as well and loosened the front differential for a little extra play. I think I even removed the front stabalizer bar as I was getting frustrated with not having enough room

Next time go to autohausaz.com and get your boots for $8 WITH new bolts and grease. I toss the metal rings and use zip ties but either way the kits are good. I had so much fun I did all 6 of the easy ones!
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'86 Syncro Westy - 2.5 Subaru Conversion