I've looked for this answer in the archives but can't find anything. RE: a 2001 E320 4Magic. I'm replacing the inboard and outboard boots. The repair manual says to remove the outboard joint, you "drive the outboard joint out". I don't know what that means, I'm used to some type of circlip retaining the entire joint to the shaft. How do you drive this out? Pound on it with a 2 x 4?

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Driveshaft, Axle & Wheel bearing

every cv ive removed has been by, tilting the joint (outer,clamps and boot removed) to expose the inner race and , using a brass drift and at least a 3 pound hammer, driving the inner race away axially from shaft. the circlip is spring steel and yields to this force. theres a groove @3mm from end of splines that u can't see till u slide joint off. exceptions would be designs that are cheap , light and small. these mfr's sell axle and joint together and boot replacement with repack of joint is all u can do. inners are different. tulips,tripods, and plunging vs. non plunging designs of inner joints are where ive been able to remove clips to ease disassembly. WHACK is the operative word for outers.

:EDIT for readability:
Every CV joint I have removed has been by:
* Tilting the joint (outer, clamps and boot removed) to expose the inner race.
* Using a brass drift and at least a 3 pound hammer.
* Driving the inner race away axially from shaft, (the Circlip is spring steel and yields to this force).
* There’s a groove @3mm from end of splines that you can't see till you slide joint off.

** Exceptions would be designs that are cheap, light and small.
These manufacturers sell axle and joint together and boot replacement with repack of joint is all u can do.

Inner joints are different, tulips, tripods, and plunging versus none plunging designs of inner joints are where I have been able to remove clips to ease disassembly.

WHACK is the operative word for outers.
:EDIT for readability: