Drive joint boot replacement

I need to replace the torn outer CV boot on the offside of my 1999 Ford Fiesta Ghia 1.25. The parts shop sold me a universal boot kit, including the fitting cone. I have two options and both entail removing the droplink connection, the track rod end and the lower arm pinch bolt, but from here I have the following choices: 1) Undo the hub nut and remove the hub from the driveshaft, then use the cone to fit the new boot over the CV joint. 2) Don’t undo the hub nut, but expand the CV joint retaining circlip and remove both it and the complete hub from the driveshaft, then replace the boot. Which is the easiest method? If using method one, do I need to use a new nut when refitting the hub and have you any tips on tightening the hub nut? I believe it is tightened to 200lb ft, but my torque wrench only goes to 100lb ft. Will a 32mm socket fit this nut? Tim Lynch Both options have merits and disadvantages. Having gone to the extent of removing the hub from the drive joint, as in method one, I would then remove the boot, open the retaining clip and slide the joint off the shaft. This will save pushing and stretching the universal boot and is likely to be quicker.

Method two may pose problems, as you will be trying to open up the retaining clip while manoeuvring the complete hub assembly. It is also possible that the shaft will not slide easily out of the joint and might require a little tap to move it. On the other hand, the benefit of this method is that you will not have to worry about retorquing the front hub nut.

The hub nut should be 32mm and the torque setting is 290Nm or 213lb ft. Ford specify that the nut can only be reused four times. A torque wrench capable or reaching 290Nm would be an expensive purchase for a single job, but you should be able to hire one for a reasonable fee or else find a local garage willing to torque up the nut for you. As long as the nut has been tightened up to a reasonable degree, the vehicle should be safe to drive a short distance to a garage, if required.