Well decided to check out all the steering, suspension, bushes etc on my TE.

Found the outer CV boots had splits in them. I think its probably best to change them very soon , before any more damage is done. The thing is, i've never done them before. Done wheel bearings and all that crap on 4wds but never played with cv's.

Do i need to take the whole drive shaft out to do it, or can i just remove the hub and stuff and get them on?

Also, the straps that hold the boots on, do these need a special crimper/tool or is there another way of doing it. Hose clamps maybe haha.

Thanks for any info

A boot replace is quite fiddley job to do. And your cv's have had no grease in them for who knows how long. Get a replacement recod drive shaft they are pretty cheap

Reco shafts would be the ideal way to go, however new boots and some grease will cost a lot less and almost the same labour is involved in the job in my opinion. Unless the boots have been split for quite some time and/or the car has been driven thru sand/deep water or mud then the grease will probably still be there. Also if the joints are worn you would be better getting reco ones. You can check by extracting some of the remaining grease from the joint with a flat screwdriver and rub it between your fingers feeling for grit - if it's still silky smooth and clean then it's odds on you will be able to either just repack the joint with minimal cleaning or if you think the grease has been compromised wash the joint in petrol/kero then dry and repack. The instructions are best found in the workshop manual at: http://www.lisho.net/?page_id=3

They need to come off the car, whether you put new boots on or get recon shafts depends on condition of the joints. Its easy to test the joints for free play, binding or contamination once the shafts are off the car. Your local car parts place will be able to sell you four boot kits to do the whole lot for about $60. Each new boot comes with grease and retaining straps. Tool needed depends on the type of strap. You may be able to reuse the old straps, I know you can on a second gen car.

To be honest I woudl not even bother with reco shafts, they are an unknown, you dont know how many miles they have done or how long they were run dry eitehr

I supply BRAND NEW shafts, the labout is quick, in and out and you have the peace of mind of having a brand new shaft with brand new joints which should last you out the life of the car

New, Reco, DIY. The OP can take his choice. lol

Cheers fellas, i have noticed that ebay have quite a few shafts for sale, very cheap too i thought. Get the 2xcomplete shafts/cv's for around $100, anyone used them. One seller gives a 3 year warranty. Seems alright to me, will only have car another year max. But i like to do a proper job once, not half assed jobs twice. Will also have to do my lower ball joints too as noticed today one of them is split.

Really would like to do this myself at home, but i only dunno if my pot gut will fit underneath the car on my little stands. Reading the manual it doesnt really seem that hard a job, if i was to just remove entire shafts and replace with new.

But what are the lower ball joints like to get off. A definite puller job or easy enough with a persuasion tool (hammer).