Did I just Break my front axel shaft?

[kuee95]

So I did not follow the proper instructions on how to swap the front shocks. I watched a few videos on how to do it and none of them mentioned removed the front axle shafts.

Passenger side seemed to go ok. Drivers side looked weird going back together and then I noticed that if I spin the hub the axle is not turning.

So I guess my question is did I screw up the CV joint? Can I remove the boots and put it back together? Or am I going to have to order a new shaft?

Feel free to dog on me all you want, I should have done a bit more research.

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[Sparky2]

You should be able to put cv joint back together you may have to remove boot or not try it without removing boot first but it is probably best to remove boot to inspect for any damage to joint you will have to take it back apart if you have the shock installed because you overextended the axle shaft pulling the joint apart

 

[hemiblas]

It is so much harder than the videos lead you to believe. I almost did the same thing on my Ranger. I took it apart 3 different times trying to install some spacers, but finally got it with the help of a friend. I would never do it again. You are probably going to have to order a new axle shaft.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

Axel, moments after learning he may have a broken shaft . . .

 

[kuee95]

Well I got it back together. Removed the boot clamps and pushed out the shaft like I should have to begin with.
For those that don’t know the outboard CV joint is a splined shaft and held together with a stop ring.
Getting the stop ring compressed to push it back together was a pain. What worked for me was to use a zip tie around the stop ring to compress it. Then align the splines and give it a hard shove. Zip tie will push forward and it’s on.
But I need to order the boot clamps. The ones I found Locally are too small.

 

[BigMeatsBronco]

I would have expected the inboard side to pull out first...interesting.

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