I've been meaning to ask this for a while (when I worked on the boots a few weeks ago), but how do you get the CV shaft out without removing the tire? I keep hearing this, but when I tried to pull it out, it hit on the A-arm and couldn't come out all the way.

So, how do you all do it?

Only seen it done on a lift with the tires still on. So you'll need room to pull the axle out. Basically, you push the axle into the knuckle while angling the inner portion out of the axle housing. Then you pull the stub back through the knuckle. Do opposite to reinstall. I guess also turning the tire makes it a little faster. Don't forget to remove the snap ring off the end of the stub shaft in the lockout.
Transfer the snap ring if it comes out of the diff. If not you'll have to search for it with a magnet.

Hell, we should get Mike to do it on video for us.

That's how I tried to do it. I unbolted the flange, removed  the clip, then tried sliding it out of the knuckle, but the boot/bulge on the end of the shaft hits part of the Calmini A-arm (3" lift). I are so confused

I second the Mike vid (or anyone else who knows this trick) illustrating the removal of this CV shaft while the tire is still on

I tried it, gave up and removed the tire and unbolted the strut. I may be able to do it know that I have the front end widened, oh wait, I have an anvil Seriously, I never came close to get the passenger side out without dissesembling everything and I tried it many times. If it can be done, I'd like to see how.

Zig

I second the Mike vid (or anyone else who knows this trick) illustrating the removal of this CV shaft while the tire is still on

You need the full weight of the truck on the tire, cant have it off the ground. I remember a quote of Mike's about "having a few friends hang on the fender", too, to put more weight on the truck and make it easier to change. I haven't tried this on the right side, only the left. I doubt the stub-shaft will come out of the axle housing enough with the tire and knuckle on.

d'oh!

I meant driver's side.

I know for a fact that there's no easy way to get the passenger's side out.

Thanks for the tip!

d'oh!

I meant driver's side.

I know for a fact that there's no easy way to get the passenger's side out.

Thanks for the tip!

Cool, I thought I was crazy for a minute. I've gotten the drivers side out before, but for me it's ALOT easier to pull the wheel and the strut bolts than trying to force it in and out.
Z

I'm lazy and like to skip unecessary steps at all costs... even if skipping steps is harder than doing them

Well, I successfully removed the CV shaft without removing the tire. I used the ratchet strap that holds my front clip down to compress the suspension. Directly below the spring is a 1.5" hole... I hooked it to that, then looped it up over the fender and attached it to the holes in my wheel, and tightened it down. Even with a couple people on top of the bumper/hood on that side, it wasn't compressed enough... then again these were relatively small people. The strap just ended up working out better for me