so i was repacking a few spare axle cv's and tried a new tool to use with the issued crimp rings. some people use regular screw type clamps, but they can cause clearance issues and they will drag the knuckle housing. last time i used a ratcheting quick crimper for plumbing pex fittings. this time i tried a tile nipper and it worked even better. Maybe you guys already use this method (dunno, you didn't tell me)
cheap (like $4.50) economy tile nippers from hd. they close only enough, so no worries with over doing it (I've done that too). i have no idea where to get a legit clamp crimper (never looked for one, so i never have one when i need one)


btw...figured everyone knows how to remove and repack cv joint, so I'm just showing the crimp discovery. also no real need to repack them unless you hear that sharp turn clicking or you tear a boot. Refresher.....
1. pop the bands from the boot.
2. bend joint as close to 90 degrees as possible.
3. tap the top of the cv from axle (1 swift tap should pop it loose)
4. clean the old grease out (compressed air and brake cleaner work fine)
5. after brake cleaner is dry put new cv grease in around all the ***** and in the joints
6. slide boot over axle.
7. slide cv back over the axle (gotta use a screw driver and depress the keeper c clip to slide it over)
8. put clips on

 

Exactly what I used when I replaced the cv boots on the wife's passat.

 

Here's the "correct" tool. Looks way different, doesn't it? The biggest difference seems to be shown on that line with the blue text.

 

keeping busy, i see! I witnessed the disassembly and assembly of the cv joint. Cold not be any easier compared to the youtube videos.

 

when you hear the popping at tight turn, the CVs are already done, correct? At that point, you need to rebuild rather than just repack with grease.

Am I correct, or will repacking with grease be ok once you hear the popping?

 

You got those tile nippers from Hd? They look pre-war..

 

Sharp turn click/pop can be salvaged. Not 100% of the time, but most. It's the popping/click in not so tight turn, that points to doom. But consider cost of a scraper front axle ($25-$35) and the new boot ,grease , clips ($10-$15) is it worth it?

I break a lot of these, so I buy a few at a time. Always a few rips and I never know what it looks like in there. So I will get a couple boots and a bunch of cheap clips. Repack so I no that my spares don't need spares.

 

Snap. It's exactly what I use Résultats Google Recherche d'images correspondant à http://www.netzerotools.com/assets/images/Knipex/CarpentersPincers/Knipex-Carpenters-Pincers-Application.jpg