Technical CV Joint Sei. How to "Pop the circlip".

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Technical CV Joint Sei. How to "Pop the circlip".

GrumpyOldMan

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Hi all,
I'm in the middle of replacing my CV boots on my 200 899 Sei. In Levermircento's guide it says to "Pop the circlip" and the joint will slide off. I can find the circlip but please can someone guide me as to how I pop it off?

I'm at this point:
Seicv.JPG


I assume it's held captive within the joint? What tool do I need? There aren't the holes I would expect to see on a circlip so I don't think it can be by using circlip pliers.

Thanks in anticipation,

Ian.
 
I'm sorted now. Managed to wedge a screwdriver blade in and the joint did indeed slide off. Very fiddly though and probably isn't the recommended way!

This has to be the dirtiest, oiliest job I have yet undertaken on this car! Stinky stuff too.

Calling it a day now as it's freezing outside,

Ian.
 
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I done this on my 899 Sei and from what i remember i got two small flat tip screwdrivers and basically spread them and off it came. Bit awkward.
 
I done this on my 899 Sei and from what i remember i got two small flat tip screwdrivers and basically spread them and off it came. Bit awkward.
Sounds very much like how I (eventually) did it. You're right, a bit awkward. Thanks.
 
Bit late to the party, but you can use circlip pliers too.

Cheers

D
I didn't have mine to hand at the time but it didn't look like that would work anyway. I'm getting them back tomorrow as I need them to undo the spider thingy.
Very messy job but easier and a lot quicker than I had expected. So far anyway. Bet I regret saying that tomorrow!

Ian.
 
As it turns out I am in need of doing this too very very soon. Have done that at least three times, best results with circ pliers, but this is still not a fool-proof method, a lot depends on lucky insertion/grip. I need something better, any ideas? I was thinking flat screwdriver with notches cut out on both sides to keep it from sliding out... Oh, and this will be done in situ, I am not touching the hub nut with a ten feet pole. (Come to think of it, that's exactly what I would need :D)
 
I undid the hub nut with a 3 foot pole! I sprayed it up several times over a couple of days beforehand with plus gas type stuff. When undoing the staking I ended up tearing the outer from one side of the nut. Taking it off was a breeze, didn't even need the brakes applying.
I wanted the hub off as I thought that whilst the shaft was out I would do both boots. It was actually the gearbox end that was leaking oil (899) but no way was I going to take the shaft out again in 6 months to do the CV end, especially as the boots are only about six quid. It also meant I didn't have to fanny about with plastic cones and stuff to install the boots.
Be warned though that the hub nuts no longer seem to be a stock item at Fiat dealers, but they could order me one in. I got one from EuroCarCare as it saved me a trip back to the dealers. I had initially bought a hub nut off ebay but it was waaaaay too short so didn't use it. To their credit though they refunded me straight away. The proper ones also seem to have a built in washer. Cost over £8 inc vat and postage but a necessary thing unfortunately.

Getting the circlip off was just a PITA rather than difficult. I think it's one of those that once you've done it you know how to do it next time. I did it with a flat bladed screwdriver and just twisted until it opened enough to pull the joint out.

Like I said though, this is a REALLY dirty job! Have plenty of rags to hand and plenty of Swarfega.

Ian.
 
Hub nuts I have a whole box of, I get one with every boot replacement kit I buy (these indeed are not proper Fiat nuts, but those ones I also have floating around). But I never undo the nut, hence a whole collection.

Anyhow, job done, went surprisingly easy this time, circlip pliers, one good grip and the thing was out. Most time was spent getting the grease in and tightening the bands on the boot.

The saddest thing is: they go every two years each side, and the sides are one year aparat in changing, so that means I have to do one every year. Surprisngly, the gearbox side boots are still fine, never touched them for the last 7 years / 120kkm.

While at it I also discovered that my pads are soon to be extinct, oh well, will have another excuse to fiddle with tools :D
 
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