Re: (baxteR)
No need to add fluid and I'm not sure why someone suggested crush rings.
You also don't need to remove the knuckle.
Its a fairly easy job if everything comes apart smoothly.
Its best to have air tools, a nice big pry bar and a good heavy hammer.
Take off the wheel.
Unbolt sway bar endlink from strut.
Unbolt strut from knuckle.
Unbolt tie rod end from knuckle.
Remove axle bolt and push axle out the backside of the knuckle. This may require some force and the pry bar may come in handy.
Once the outer axle is free from the knuckle, use the large pry bar to pop the axle out of the trans. I like to get my pry bar right up between the inner axle cv joint and the trans and with a quick and powerful pull of my pry bar, the axle pops out. Note, I usually bungee cord tie the axle to the spring so it doesn't launch across the shop.
Whatever you do, do not pull or beat the axle in or out by just using the outer cv joint as a slide hammer. You will damage the axle.
Replacing the leaking boot is easy if you have the right tools.
You'll need a brass drift or brass hammer and the special clamp crimpers, I forget their actual name, and a vise.
Put axle in vise with outer CV pointed down at say 30 degree angle. Cut the old clamps of with big side cutters or pry off with some cheapy screwdriver.
Cut the boot off. I always wear latex gloves as the grease is very messy.
Once the boot is off use a brass drift or hammer and knock the outer CV joint off the axle. Usually take a good beating. Be sure to hit it just above the splines on the shaft. Anywhere around that boss is ok as there is a blind clip onside the cv joint on the splined shaft.
Then you can clean and repack the cv joint using the supplied grease that came with the boot. If you get the Volvo kit, the black grease goes in the outer and the yellow goop goes in the inner. If replacing both be sure to remove and install the inner boot and clamps before putting the outer boot and clamps on.
Use the special pliers to clamp the boots shut and just put it all back together in reverse order.
IIRC it pays 1.5 hrs to do this.
Have fun.
Just a thought but usually if you have to ask if its easy for you to do, it probably isn't
