Nissan Repair: cv boot replacement, strut bolts, terrano 3

Question
Can you please give step by step information on replacing a torn front outer cv boot on a 2000 nissan terrano 3 litre diesel

Answer
Hi Mike -

I always recommend that rather than replace just the boot, the entire half shaft should be changed. reason is, as soon as the boot gets cracked, the dust and debris will penetrate and the joint is immediately compromised. When you look at the cost and time (if this is a self repair), the labor to just replace the boot is not worth the effort compared to the result when replacing the entire shaft, also when replacing just the boot it requires some forceful pounding of the joint. Not good. Besides a new shaft has BOTH CV boots brand new, both inner and outer.

Anyway, with that said, here is the order:

Before removing the tire, loosen the center axle bolt. This may require an impact wrench or long breaker bar.
Remove the following:
Wheel
Tie rod end (outer)
Brake caliper (remove mount bolts and swing the caliper out of the way. Normally you will not have to remove the brake hose
Top strut bolts (2 of them)
If your truck is equipped with a sway bar, the bolts have to be removed too
remove the center hub bolt that you had loosened earlier.
Now the hub should be able to swing out and clear the end of the axle (might have to tap the end of the axle)
Once the hub it clear and swung out of the way, you can remove the entire axle from the transmission, it is locked in by a snap ring, so you will have to pry it and work it out with a large pry bar.

Installation is reveres of removal. Ensure the new axle snaps in place into the transmission

Hope this helps -
aloha
calvin