Disassembly (Fixed CV Joint)

Remove axle shaft from vehicle. See AXLE SHAFTS under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. Clamp axle shaft horizontally in vise with protected jaws. Cut large boot clamp. Pull boot back over axle shaft. Reposition axle shaft in vise to expose inner race. See Fig 1.
Using hammer and brass drift, tap inner bearing race sharply to dislodge internal circlip. Remove and discard circlip and stop ring at end of axle shaft.

Fig 1: Separating Outer CV Joint & Axle Shaft
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove boot (if replacing). Place CV joint stub shaft in vise with bearing facing up. See Fig 2. Press down on inner race enough to tilt cage. If necessary, use a hammer and wooden drift, tap on inner race to tilt cage sufficiently to remove ball(s).
If ball(s) are difficult to remove, use screwdriver with blunted edges to assist removal. Pivot cage and inner race assembly until it is vertical in outer race. Align cage windows with outer race lands while pivoting cage.
Lift cage assembly from outer race. With cage assembly removed, pivot inner race until it is vertical in cage. Align one inner race land with one cage window. Position race through window. Rotate inner race up and out of cage.

Fig 2: Removing CV Joint Ball

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Components are factory matched and cannot be interchanged, mixed or substituted.