Hi,

I was replacing the strut bearings on my 2003 S and apparently I pulled too hard on the inner CV joint on the boot failed irdt on one side and then the other.



How hard is it to replace the boots? Am I doing something wrong or are the boots just old?

Actually the first boot must have alreadyfailed as there was grease flung around it.

 

No, they are not hard to replace. I recommend buy Genuine MINI boot kit. YouTube for guidance.

 

The short left hand axle has a circlip in a groove in the end. The long left hand side axle has a groove outboard of the splines but I don't see a circlip. Is this normal? I wanted to know if I need to be searching for the missing circlip.

 

I think it is normal. The LH axle uses that circlip to help retain it in the differential within the transaxle. The RH axle has that support bearing attached to the engine block that will hold the axle secure in the differential from its side.