Just stripping down my Sierra Lobro drive shafts so I can clean them up and paint them.

I've removed the joints from the shaft so now I have the joint with the inner cover (which the gaiter is secured to) still fixed in place.

It doesn't seem to want to come off the joint and I'm not really sure how it's located. Is it just a case of trying to hit the wery thin step with something like a screwdriver or is there a better way to seperate the two. I'm assuming the inner cover has a counterbore which sits over the OD of the joint.

Next I need to decide what to do with the joints. I've washed out the old grease and ideally would like to strip them down so I can clean the outer in my electrolysis bath but I'm a bit concerned how difficult they are to strip and re-assemble.

Would I be better to just wire brush the outside and paint leaving the joint assembled.

Finally the existing boots are in good condition and probably OE. Would it be advisable to replace them anyway and if so what's the best source?

Any advice would be helpful.

John.

Friction (rust and crud :-) fit basically. Tap it off .

When I did mine it was a bit of a learning exercise...

I only removed the cover on the joint I fu***d up and had to replace. I just prised it off straightened it back out and siliconed it back in place.

When you strip a joint, ensure you mark the outer, inner and cage so they all go back in the same relation to each other. Also make a note of where each ball comes from, so it can go back in its original groove on the outer, inner and the place slot in the cage.

I used a piece of corrugated cardboard with six holes punched in and numbered. I used this method for three out of four with no problems. I learnt the hard way on the first and although it went back together, it would not articulate to my satisfaction.

Have fun!