Where an axle shaft boot has been damaged, the entire shaft assembly has to be replaced as boots cannot be repaired individually. To remove the axle shaft, first, there is the wheel cover or the hub cap depending on the manufacture of the car, one will have to remove this before he/she can remove the axle shaft/hub nut using a socket and a large breaker bar. Put the front wheels in the fixed position, as it stops the rotation of the wheels, and then free the wheel by removing the lug nuts on the wheel, raise the car with the jack and put it on the jackstands and then remove the wheel. Subsequent steps include the removal of axle shaft/hub nut and the reduction of gear lubricant in the differential and the separation of the driveshaft from the differential but ensuring that it does not hang by the centre support bearing. Take off the rear exhaust pipe and muffler, then use a pry-bar to pull the inner CV joint out of the differential to the extent that you can remove the snap ring, which should be done with the thought in mind that the axle shafts cannot be withdrawn until the differential is lowered. Place the vehicle on a lift, remove the bolts and nuts which fix the differential to the cross-member and supporting bracket, and then lower and angle the differential so as to release the axle shaft(s). Withdraw the axle shaft from the hub flange using a gentle force; use a soft-faced hammer on it if it gets stuck. For installation, there is a taper pin or a retaining ring that is used to retain the inner CV joint stub shaft and should be replaced with a new one. As with the initial steps in the procedure, operate in the reverse order of removal, check the condition of rubber isolation washer installed on the outer CV joint stub shaft and replace it if needed. Screw in the differential mounting bolts to the required torque then fit new axle shaft/hub nut and only tighten without reaching the actual torque up until the vehicle has been lowered on the ground. Add the right type and quantity of lubricant into the differential and fit the wheels; lower the car, then torque the wheel lugs to the prescribed amount before finally doing up the axle shaft/hub nut then replace the wheel cover or the hub cap.
