VivaJ73

I am replacing my CV boots and I can't seem to get the inner housing of the right-side axle removed.
The joint has popped out (I guess because the boot was ripped), but the housing is still stuck.
Similar to the video below.

I tried exhaust clamps, breaker bars, tensioners. But isn't moving an inch.

Now I am wondering if I can save myself the time and energy and just leave it in. (I am not going to replace the joint or axle, only the boot).
I would push the new boot on the axle and then push the axle back in the housing.
Would that work? Did anyone ever do this before?

Plutoe

once again not a simple as it seems-----you need to read WIS doc AR33.30P0690CW for the correct and complete removal/install process

VivaJ73

Thanks for the sharing the document number. I guess it rarely is as simple as it seems
Unfortunately I do not have WIS. I found the procedure for the W212 - It looks pretty similar.

I was still wondering if it would be possible to install the boot with the axle housing still on the car.
Since I don't need to replace the axle, I would prefer to save the time to take something apart which seems to be attached just fine.

Plutoe

i dont think so

VivaJ73

Would have been to good to be true.
I guess the difficulty would be to slide the boot and clip over the housing and fix it properly?

Just for my understanding: The inner joints (the part with the 3 bearings) came out of the housing without much force. Is this normal? It would mean that it is basically kept in place by the wheel & suspension.

I couldn't find the the WIS procedure for the W211 (yet). I did find the one for a W212. Is the procedure slightly similar?

Heguli

Yes, it's normal. Inner joint is Tripod, whereas outer joint is Rzeppa. Tripod allows axleshaft to move in and out when suspension cycles. Axle shaft is hold in place at the outer joint.

VivaJ73

Thanks Heguli.
I contacted Pelican Parts. They seem to have good info on this topic. According to them, it could work to install the boot with the "Rzeppa" (remember for scrabble} installed.
I think I will give it a go when the boots arrive, realizing it may fail as predicted by Plutoe.
WIll get back with the results.

cetialpha5

I tried replacing the boot on the inner axle but it didn't work on my W211. The aftermarket kit was no good and there wasn't an OEM kit for the inner boot, just the outer boot. Didn't have an issue removing it though, used the 3" exhaust clamp around the axle and a 5 pound slide hammer to get it out. Ended up replacing it with an aftermarket axle from Rockauto. Different brand this time GSP, first time I forget the brand but it caused a vibration. Replacement one was fine.

VivaJ73

I ended up leaving the axle housing in and just put the axle with the boot back in. Actually very easy.
Only a bit inconvenient to clean and grease the housing. And there is very little space to put the clamp on the boot. But it is possible. I used a worm drive clamp.
Another benefit, is that thus way, you don't need to remove the shock absorber bolts.