I am going to pull my rear axles and swap out the boots this weekend. The manual makes it sound pretty simple, just give them a good tug and they are suppose to pop out of the rear end right? Do the snap rings need to be replaced or can they be reused? I was wondering where I can get a tool to put the bands back on properly? Where is the best place is it something I am going to get soaked on financially? Thanks for the help guys. Jay

 

Its a pretty basic job on the sportsman. The only part you didn't mention was removing the inner snap ring in the upper hub. Undo the larger end of the upper boot and slide it down the axle far enough that you can see into the hub. There is a large snap ring inside the hub, just gently pry it out and the axle will slide out of the hub. Be careful of the bearings in the CV joint, they can fall out. install is just the opposite. As far as the clamps go, you can reuse them if they are the stock ones. The pliers are available at any auto part store, but I just modified a pair of needlenose pliers by grinding out little hooked beaks. Good luck.

 

The needlenose grind!! Great idea.
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You can borrow those boot band pliers from Autozone. They just require a deposit