Is there another way of clamping a new CV boot clamp on a Sportsman 400 rear axle besides taking it to dealer to have them use their special tool for it? Is it a difficult job getting the rear axle out on a 2001 SP400?

I am replacing the cv boots on my 2000 Scrambler 500 4x4 right now. I dont know how much more different it is compared to a sportsman, but it is pretty simple to get the half shaft out. All I did was remove that brake caliper, pull off the hub and bearings, disconnect the a arm from the strut and pop out the ball joint and move the strut out of the way. Then the half shaft just popped out with a little tug. I am going to use needle nose pliers to break the old clamp off and remove the boot bec ause i dont want to buy the special boot clamp pliers. I have heard of guys useing tie straps on cv boots on cars. I am going to try that and see how it works. Hope this helps

Just go buy the CV boot clamp pliers. They are around $15.00 and are available at any auto parts. I have seen guys use side cutters but it is very important to get the top pushed down so it does not snag anything. Also position the clamp so if something does grab it during forward rotation, the clamp does not get unhooked. Zip ties break easily and proper clamp load will be hard to get. You may be saving time and money now but if that boot comes open while you are riding and dirt gets in the joint, that $20. pair of pliers just tuned into a $250.00 shaft. PAY A LITTLE NOW OR A LOT LATTER.

I tried the universal strap type clamps available from auto stores and hated them. I ended up buying the correct size clamps from Napa, and bought the clamp tool for under $10 at Autozone. I think autozone used to and still may lend out tools for free.

i took your advise and was able to borrow the clamp tool from autozone. The right boot went on without incident. however, the left side is another story. when i got the left cv joint out, i found out that it was frozen together. you could see the spots where it welded itself together. I will cost me $190 for a new cv shaft. I am going on a ride on friday and the shaft will be in thursday. that REALLY SUCKS. my $60 cv boot repair just turned into a $250 repair!!!!

Thanks for replys everyone. Going to tackle it this weekend. Make use of that $34 service manual I got 6 months ago. The boot itself is'nt tore. Just the $%&*# clamp came off. Alot of trouble just to make sure nothing got in boot while clamp was off.

I just replaced a torn CV boot on my Scrambler today. I got a Gorilla Axle boot and it looks really good. Only problem is, they seem to have sent me the wrong clamp. They gave me two larger clamps (small one is fine) which I already knew was trouble. Why give two big clamps when all I need is one? Sure enough one is too small and the other is too big. The big one will get tight but there is way too much over hang that will catch on the strut.

This is the first boot I've ever changed and I did it in under 30 minutes (minus clamping). The torn boot lost most of the grease, but it didn't look contaminated with dirt/water. Hopefully the joint has no damage. I've been down almost a week now and I can't wait to tear it up again.