Suppose to be a snap ring inside that is suppose to allow things to come apart. Had one axle needed to change the boot. Never did get it to come apart. Beat on it so much, finally just replaced it with a new axle. Did not trust it anymore. Good luck.

 

Thanks man, I went ahead and threw it into the press after looking at a video. One video showed how he used snap ring pliers which is what threw me off. After the bang, I see that the ring actually sits inside of the bearings on the shaft. Makes sense now.

Now to figure out how to put it back together without a vise lol

 

It should be easy to put it back together and the vise is not necessary, the race is designed to have a large chamfer at the edge of spline, so going in is easy but going out is difficult. Make sure to use brass hammer when hitting the race, steel hammer will damage the race. If you ever need aftermarket axles, we have heavy duty axle made out of heat treated chromoly steel with TPEE boot and 1 year warranty.

 

On my 08 there was a clip just inside the edge of that sprocket or whatever it's called lol. No way to get to it, just have to tap it off. Actually nothing on my cv boot install went as I saw in videos. There was supposed to be a snap ring inside the cup; not on mine, just small peened spots. I had to remove it one ball at a time. But after all was said and done it all worked out and it all looked to be in good shape internally and I trusted it more than a cheap replacement axle. Didn't want to spend $200 or more on a new one. So far after a tough trail ride all is well.