Stuck Trying to do a CV Joint

Trying to change the drivers side CV Joint.

Using Martin's write up at 3 years old, 30k miles I did the nearside kingpin bearings with no problem so basically the same job.

Ok this eveing I have at least two problems but now 60k mile, 8.5 years old, so lots of North East Scotland salt on road and I think worse steel than our 99 car.

The four bolts that hold the disc back plate and hub will not move they appear to be 13mm AF but I wonder if they are 14mm AF but have rusted undersize. They are not in great condition and I can get an open ender on to them but not a ring spanner as it will not go right down on the hex maybe only half way down.

The cars has an ABS backing ring in front of the bolts so you cannot see the bolt like Martin's write up shows as that was a non ABS car.

I guess you may have to get heat in there but my little gas gun is not up to it.

Has anyone had that problem , I thought a six sided ring rather than the normal ring that only catches the bolt corners may help but as I say the bolts are not in great condition.

One of the 10mm AF oil seal ring backing plate bolts on the back of the hub has rusted undersize. I suppose a hammered on 9mm socket or get a mate to weld on a big nut.

Finally the disc back plate has seen better days so how do you get the ABS sensor out without damaging it.

Thinking the local garage may have a job as the sensible man knows when to give up.

Opinions guys

Off with the locking hubs.
remove circlip
remove the rubber gasket thing and metal rings on the inside of the knucke.
Remove both kingpin bolts.

Then you have access to the CV Joint.

You may need to unbolt the trackrod joint.

There are sockets that cater for just your problem. I use them all the time. I bought the full kit years ago and it has proved its worth over and over. Whether you can buy individual sockets or spanners I do not know but they are called metrinch so do a google search for metrinch sockets. They are designed more for damaged/rusted bolts but can also be used as a normal set. The backplate bolts are 14mm by the way having just finished doing my daughters offside kingpins today!

mickt

Thanks for your reply but the car is 07 and has ABS, therefrore the ABS ring is between the hub where the studs come out and the bolts we are talking about.

Therefore you cannot see the bolts head on through the hub cutouts that are there for that reason, therefore you cannot get a socket in there head on.

There is just enough room to get a ring spanner in there.

As you say they are 14mm boltheads and they have rusted down and now are 13mm ish and the ring will not go right down the head.

My guess it to cut the heads off with an angle grinder, pull off and use a stud extractor to remove the cut bolts, order some new ones from jimny shop at about £4 I think,,,copper grease them before re-fixing..
I tried on my 2009 three came loose with a 14mm ring spanner and other was too far gone and I round the bugger off.

You can get ring spanners in that make. My set has all the drive sockets( 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2) plus combination spammers 10mm to 21mm. They are designed to fit both metric and AF heads and because of their design they grip rusted heads too. Each socket & spanner is marked with both the metric and AF size. I reckon a combination 14 mm will do the job.