I took it to mean he's wanting to clean the axle shafts and not the
joints.  If it's just the shafts, sure, wet-r-dry sandpaper and a
wirebrush will clean them up nicely before you refinish them ... prior
to installing the joints.

Mike

John Brush wrote:
> Wesley Pegden wrote:
>
>>Hi all,
>>I'm sending this out as another attempt to gather some wisdom
>>regarding cleaning up my axles before putting on my new cv joints.
>>Is it safe to use fine sandpaper to help clean them?  (For example,
>>the kind you can use wet?)  I had a few responses that thought this
>>was a bad idea.  What do people think is the best way for me to clean
>>them up (at the ends where the boots will go)?
>
>
> I use copious amounts of brake cleaner spray, wiped with a clean rag,
> followed by a reasonable dry time. I guess you are seeing stuff  on there
> that many have never come across? I know I would never use any kind of
> sandpaper, or risk scoring or removing any material.
>
> Be careful you are not overthinking the process :-) as a tiny spec will not
> live long under the stress of the joint. If you can get the joint on fairly
> easily, I think you are there.
>
> Remember the tie wraps to hold the boot to the joint, use a long stud on the
> top hole to help install the end that goes into the cave on the outside, and
> don't tighten the smaller boot clamp until the wheel is rotated enough times
> for the boot to settle into its natural location. Stretch it or crush it,
> and it will tear prematurely. Plus, I have found that if you do drop the
> axle on your head, or it crushes your hand on the edge of the "cave" you
> might as well just swear and scream and get it over with. When I hold it in,
> it only comes out even louder the next time  I get crunched :-)
>
> Good luck.
>
> John
> .
> ----------------------------------------------------------
> I would rather hunt with Dick Cheney
> Than ride with Ted Kennedy
> -----------------------------------------------------------
>