Hello

I just discovered a broken outer cv boot on the 98 Legacy. In the Haynes manual they say I have to unstake the axle nut. Not sure what exactly this means. There is a metal ring on top of that nut that at one point is pushed into a gap of an inner circle. Do I have to force that part of the metal ring out? Somebody in this group in a past post wrote: “ remove the crimp on the axle nut”. Does he mean the same thing as “unstake”? Also a question about the boot clamps installation. The Haynes mentions a special banding tool to do it. Do I need it? How else can a tighten the clamp?

Thanks a lot. Yves

Uncrimp=Unstake=put a small chisel or screwdriver in the slot and pound it in until there is clearance to turn the nut.

Make sure you're following all precautions when working with this as it effects the bearings.

I never elected to re-boot an axle. You might check into the price of a re-manufactured half shaft. Easier and less messy to put in. Replace the outer

seal(s) if you go this route.

Good Luck.

Good advice from SevenSisters, it is not much money for the whole axle. I am thinking around sixty dollars.

no need for the special banding tool. draw the metal band tight with a flathead anchoring the collar and pliars pulling the free end tight. Once tight, fold the free end back on itself and crimp the whole thing down by making an X with the flathead and a hammer on top of the collar. It's been holding for me...

Problem is here in Canada the cheapest axle I can get is $166. Order from the US and customs/agents will have a new trick to get more money. Other problem is I don’t understand the principle of axle removal (for just boot replacement) Remove axle nut, diconnect control arm from steering knuckle, then (says Haynes) pull the driveaxle out of the steering knuckle (do they mean out of the hub?). THEN I guess I could remove the outer boot and slide a new one in? They say “disengange the inner end of the transaxale from the transaxle”. Why should I do this for replacing the outer boot?

Thanks from Yves.

You remove the axle from the car because it's 100,000 times easier to work on when it's on a bench.Removing axles become easier the more times you do it.