Doing some suspension work on my 4x4 S10 Blazer replacing tie rods and ball joins. I separated the ball joints on my driver side, steering knuckle fell off, and the axel came down with it. It separated at the inner boot. I had already did the passenger before and that axel didn't fall out. Look at the driver side and comparing it to the other, it seems to be missing an aluminum clamp. I checked to see if it got pulled off somehow but I don't see it. I may have been driving ot for miles without the clamp and it just fell off somehow.

My real question: is the axel designed to separate at the boot if it doesn't have that clamp? Making sure I didn't break the axel and need to replace it.

 

It is not supposed to do that but it is easily repairable with a replacement boot kit. It is worth doing since you know the grease is not contaminated and the joint should be good.

 

Ok. So I didn't damage the axel by pulling it off accidentally? I'll look into a boot kit and put a new clamp on.

 

No damage as long as it didnt hit anything, and I would double check for debree before installing the new boot

 

I used a boot kit from NAPA. You can also get grease packets from them for the boot. I had my boot slip off while doing some repairs and took the opportunity to clean it up and repack it.

I've attached instructions from my 99 Service manual in case they help. You need the fancy tools. But you will need snap-ring pliers.

 

No you need to replace the cv axle shaft..I wouldnt.keep driving it too long .I just had mine replaces.alomg with upper/lower ball joints and upper control arms on my 99 Jimmy.But no your.bokt needa.replaced and.more less the cv axle shaft..