How to remove the stainless steel band that holds the half shaft boot on?

[BigE]

I have a faint squeak (can only hear it with the radio off and when slowing to a stop) that I think is coming from the left half shaft. How do I get the stainless steel band off that holds the rubber boot (the larger one closest to the wheel) so I can check to see what is causing the squeak?

2000 Sport 4x4 automatic

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

Before you get into that, check your front driveshaft/u-joints - classic for low-pitched squeaks.

 

[410Fortune]

use a flathead screwdriver and pry it apart at the pinch, this should give you enough slack to remove it. To install just re-pinch it with some pliers

Or you can cut it and use either a good zip tie or a hose clamp to replace it

 

[BigE]

Thanks for the information -
I am pretty sure its coming from something closer to the wheel and not the front drive shaft. If I jack the front wheels up and turn the left front wheel I can here the squeak at the same point in the wheel rotation each time it spins. I'm not 100% sure, but it sure sounds like the squeak is coming from the short shaft from the end closest to the wheel - from something inside the boot. Is it possible to put some oil on the joints, if I remove the boot? e.g. to see if that will quiet the squeak. Assume there is nothing I can otherwise lubricate?

 

[jimbo74]

they sell brease kits with a syringe to inject grease into a boot without removing it, they are fairly cheap and leave such a small hole that it basically seals itself up when you remove the needle

 

[BigE]

Jimabena74,
Would injecting the grease into the boot get it to the parts that need lubricating, e.g. the boot seems very large and I would assume the grease would just stick to the inside of the boot vs. the moving parts of the half shaft?