Bummer there mate.
If I can suggest, before fitting the Drive Shaft in to the Pot Joint, put a very small lick of light grease on the splines.
As Spider suggests a light smear of grease on the splines, during reassembly will work a treat.
I've just had to replace both my inner pot joint boots due to them perishing. This was on my Mini which was built in 2007. The car has done about 10,000 miles and removal of the inner pot joint "spider" from the drive shaft was easy. One sharp clout with a hammer and cold chisel and it popped straight off!
Cheers, Steve.
