After my lack of success with the tranny-funnel reboot method, so far no problem with the CVJ rebuilt axles I installed on my '82 240D over a year ago.

I recently read an interesting thread here titled 'ULTIMATE EASY DIY OEM CV boot replacement guide' from Srilanka, describing removal of the inner CV joint using a brass drift on the spiders, without cutting apart the cans.
I might attempt this now that my Euro TD needs both axles rebooted or replaced, but my FSM states 5000N (about 1200 pounds) required to press the spiders, and provides an 'x-ray' illustration of the axle assy that calls into question - even if I can drive the spider off, would I be able to drive the joint/spider fully back onto the axle without the shaft first bottoming out inside the joint, or destroying the nylon button in the tip of the shaft.
So it may need another set of CVJ axles after all.
I definitely don't want to experiment with the Chinese ones!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW