On the 1988 Trail boss, I assume your working on the outer cv joint. That one has the "c" clip down inside the joint housing. You won't see it until you hit the joint off the shaft. I use a small tack hammer. I put the narrow end of the hammer on the race (the star looking part that attaches it to the shaft). Then I use another hammer to hit the tack hammer. This will help avoid the cage (the part that holds the ***** in the joint). Start with a light series of taps gradually increasing in intensity. This will vibrate the "c" clip into center and it will begin to compress. Then give it a few good hits and it should slide right off with ease. If you have any questions or concerns you can email me or call 1-800-338-2326 M-Sat. 9-6 e.s.t..
Thank you,
Danny Walburn
CV Restoration, LLC

 

well I managed to get the joint off, but I noticed the other day before having known i had to take the joint off and that the boot was torn that the wheel wouldn't spin. For example I was sitting in front of the bike while it was on jackstands and I spun both wheels by hand and the one with the good boot spun forever and ever. And the one with the bad boot only spun twice and it stopped on its own. Well thats when I decided to check it out and sure enough the boot was torn. Yesterday when I finally got the joint off the axle i looked inside and there was a whole bunch of metal surrounding where the clip went that was gone. I cleaned all the grease out in the parts washer and out comes 3 pieces of metal that broke off. So im guessing thats what was stopping the wheel from turning. Well now I just ordered a new cv joint last night so I will be waiting for that to arrive So I can install it. One ? though, is the installation process the same as the removal process just backwards. Like do I have to beat it on with a hammer with the clip already in the joint or do I put it on the axle first and then put the clip in?? Sorry for the long post.

 

Ok I think I may have figured it out. Just insert the clip first on the new one and then smack it back onto the axle...