Well, it started off with a torn boot. Tried a split boot first (not because I'm cheap, just a little tight with the cash right now) and I can say without a doubt stay away from the blue ones. Time and money well wasted. I managed to pick up a CV axle and went looking online for the install. Found a youtube video, didn't have to take the lower ball-joint off, I was amazed. 35mm and a 4 foot bar, off came the nut, a tap with the hammer and she was free, awesome this is not so bad. Now under I go with my pry bar, next a bigger pry bar, now out comes the hammer and a blunt chisel, and finally a bigger hammer. It finally comes out but not where I wanted it. Seems the intermediate shaft has come out with the CV axle. Now what.......out comes the grinder and I cut the CV axle in half. Voila its out, after an hour of pounding I get the CV separated from the intermediate shaft. I cleaned up the shaft picked up a new snap ring. But when I went install it, it would not fit with the snap ring. Tried it without the snap ring and gave it a few whacks with a hammer and it was in. OK lets try out the CV axle........ and it would not fit in like the video, raised, lowered, turned the wheels, nothing, the lower ball joint has to come off. So now I have to wait to pick up a ball joint. After all this typing I have a couple of questions :
I need to get the intermediate shaft back out (any tips here) then when I put the snap ring on, do I just beat it back in with the snap ring?
Is the truck still drivable without the CV axle installed or will I damage something else?
Moral of the story don't believe everything you see on youtube, do some reading first. If I would have read a bit I would have waited until I had the ball joint before doing this. Any info is great and I thank you for reading this lengthy post.
I need to get the intermediate shaft back out (any tips here) then when I put the snap ring on, do I just beat it back in with the snap ring?
Is the truck still drivable without the CV axle installed or will I damage something else?
Moral of the story don't believe everything you see on youtube, do some reading first. If I would have read a bit I would have waited until I had the ball joint before doing this. Any info is great and I thank you for reading this lengthy post.