Replaced mine last year, 2000 Amigo, a real PITA. Probably worth the $400 dollars if you can afford it.

I'm not a professional, but I've done it a few times and I've gotten the whole process down to about an hour. 3 hours is definately ridiculous for a shop to do it.

Most shops just make quotes based off of the time frame specified in the service manual... that doesn't mean it actually takes them that long to do it (especially if they have a lot of experience). Anyone have a service manual that can look at the estimated time?

I recently broke my driver's side CV axle during a trail ride. It broke with the front ARB engaged on a very difficult rock trail.

Anyway, I found a local axle shop that rebuilt it like new for $180 installed; they've been rebuilding axles for over 30 years.

Really, ya'll were able to jack up your vehicle, take the front wheel off, remove the right front caliper assembly, remove the upper ball joint for the right side spindle, drop the steering assembly, drop the front differential and all the work needed for this, pull the broken CV assembly and then reassemble everything, in one hour. Truly amazing. If a good shop that has never done it before can do it properly in three hours I would be amazed, but an hour, [color:"red"] WOW! [/color] . It took me the better part of six+ hours to get all the frozen, hard to get at parts separated and put back together. I suppose I could do it in three hours now that I know a lot of tricks and if I had a gun to my head.

I have to fit the one hour CV unit change out on a late model Rodeo/Amigo that has never had a bolt or ball joint broke loose on the front end in the same category of those who claim they can change out a V-6 timing belt and water pump and be ready to run in one hour, or say they can do a complete valve lifter adjustment on a 3.2 V6 in one hour (not just a check and say it is good enough, but re-shim every valve).

Changing out just boot and reassembling might be done in an hour or less, but pulling the entire CV joint out of the differential and replacing and being ready to go in an hour, GIVE ME A BRAKE!!!

I think there talking about just the half shaft. I had one of mine out in about 30min, the first time ever doing it.

Hey Nato, chill out man. You are coming across a bit strong there.

I did do it in an hour. All my stuff comes apart pretty easily now though. I don't drop the steering assembly either. Just remove a couple bolts from the steering box and tilt it back, that probably saves a bit of time there. Air tools help too.

But now that I think about it, with a truck with stuck bolts and a mechanic who doesn't have expirience with this, 3 hours is probably about right. I still wouldn't pay $300 labor for this job, but I guess that depends on how messy you like to get. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

I have heard but not seen that some folks have changed the half shaft out in 45 minutes on the trail. I myself changed one out on the grass at Moabs Portal campground in the dark by flashlight in about 1 1/2 hours. I think an hour is certainly doable given the right conditions.

Update and more questions <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
Hi everyone
After 4 hours of hard work (and Yes P.B. Bluster can make you high) I have the following tips to the rest of you (Based on Rodao98)
1. Use P.B. Bluster otherwise there is no way in the world a nut that was close for 7 years and 90k mile will open
2. A must to have is a22mm socket and use a 1/2" drive (mainly breaker bar) as a 3/8" will snap
3. The pry bar to release the upper arm should be no longer then 16" otherwise it will not fit

Now for the problems: <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
As the Half shaft is sold in one kit (if you open the rubber boots you don't have warranty on it)
how do you remove the Caps from the Axle side and from the Inner Hub Side ???

P.S.
If you need picture let me know as I'm still failing to upload them

I am in the middle of this now so this has been a good post for me, but right now the pickle fork is jammed tight into the unmoving upper ball joint. My friend with a torch is out enjoying the day. So I am looking around for anything to help. Does anyone have a gun they can come put to my head?