Motorcycle Repair: 1998 grizzly 600, cv joints, cotter pin

Question
I have a hole in the outside left front boot. Both joints are cv joints. I cut the damaged boot off and slid the inner boot to the middle.  Both joints feel good with no play.  How do i remove the shaft or can i just remove the end cv joint without taking the shaft out of the transfer case which could be easier. On the internet on I watched them remove an end cv joint on another unit by knocking it off with a special tool when the whole shaft was in a vise. There appeared to be a circle clip behind the cv joint. Can i do this to mine with the shaft in the transfer case or does the shaft have to be removed first and then remove the end cv joint?
Please explain in some detail      Brad

Answer
Brad,The inner boot and the outer boot are the same size.The shaft does come out to replace the boots. Here,s a quick rundown. Jack up the unit pull the rubber nut cover off the hub. Remove the wheel.Remove the steering knuckle next to the hub then remove the lower a-arm nut and bolt. Remove the cotter pin and axle nut. Pry downward and pound on the lower a-arm untill it realeases the casting.Now with the axle carrier still hanging from the shock tower,make sure the brake calipre is off the casting swing it out and up and slip the axle out of the casting.Now with a firm jerk or you can use a pry bar pop the axle out of the differential.Very little oil will seap out of the differential.The cv knuckles are on the shaft splines but held in place with a snap ring but if the shaft is held tight the knuckle can be hit with a brass hammer or something that wont damage the joint case and it will come off so it can be cleaned and the new boot and grease kit can be installed. It then can be put back togethor the same way.