Liam042

I have a 2000 Civic, 4 door, automatic, 165K miles. So far it's been great, first Honda in the family here.The front end is shaking badly, gone from bad to worse in just a few days, I'm pretty sure it's the left front axle gone bad. I know more than a little about cars, back in my youth I flipped cars for spare cash (cars were much simpler to repair back then). But I haven't done any repair work in years, lately because we have no garage at all and lots and lots of rain this time of year. I've owned and flipped a number of Saabs; fixed front axles and replaced engines and clutches. I know the basics but haven't done a front end in many years. Right now the car is sitting, as we can't risk getting stranded.

I want to get some feedback about what replacing the axle and/or CV entails, so I will know if the repair shop is trying to pad the bill. "Trust, But Verify" is a solid policy when dealing with repair shops. Plus we have a 9 month old to feed and can't afford big repair bills right now. So far I've done some googling, and all I can find for parts is the entire axle assembly. Which makes me wonder if replacing just the CV joint is even possible, or if replacing the entire assembly is simply the most cost effective fix. The axle assemblies I've seen were from $65-75.

If anyone can tell me what to expect a front axle - or front axle CV joint - repair to cost (or give me an idea how many hours either repair should take), that would be be awesome.

Liam042

I have a 2000 Civic, 4 door, automatic, 165K miles. So far it's been great, first Honda in the family here. The front end is shaking badly, pretty sure it's the left front axle. I suspect the the drivers side outer CV joint. I want to get some feedback about what replacing the axle and/or CV entails, so I will know if the repair shop is trying to pad the bill. "Trust, But Verify" is a solid policy when dealing with repair shops. Plus we have a 9 month old to feed and can't afford big repair bills right now.

So far I've done some googling, and all I can find for parts is the entire axle assembly. Which makes me wonder if replacing just the CV joint is even possible, or if replacing the entire assembly is simply the most cost effective fix. The axle assemblies I've seen were from $65-75.

If anyone can tell me what to expect a front axle - or front axle CV joint - repair to entail (or give me an idea how many hours either repair should take), that would be be awesome. I'm in a jam here, have a window for a helper today, will not have that again for a while. We're stranded until we get the car fixed. Please help!

Update: So I have a referral to a garage with a good reputation, they said about $300 to replace the axle. That pretty much is in line with what I estimated after watching a youtube repair video.

CFiannotti

Turn the steering all the way to one side, and look at the boot.Usually, you can see splits.
Also, drive in a tight circle, and listen for clicking.
Have you hit anything?As in,a pothole or curb?

Liam042

Have not heard any clicking when turning sharply. It is worse at low speeds, so far. But started shaking at higher speeds on the last trip out. Was getting worse every time we drove, so it's parked until I can limp to a repair shop. Have zero tools and no work space here at all. I know cars, used to flip cars in my youth, have done axles on Saabs and other cars.

What I really need is some idea of what replacing an axle will cost. I don't want to be at the mercy of the repair shop, having no idea of what a fair estimate is. I've looked at a repair video for replacing an axle, it seems like just a few hours of labor and less than $100 for parts. But I don't know these cars well enough, maybe there's more involved and axle replacement will be a huge amount of work and expense. I'm operating too much in the dark right now.

Do you have any experience with axle replacements, or knowledge of what a repair shop would charge? That would be a huge help to me.

CFiannotti

At 365000+ miles on my '95 coupe, I have had both only a boot replaced, and about 4 axles on each side shop replaced. Up here in RI my shop charges around $150 an axle. Before doing an axle, make sure the joints/ axle are the problem.Have you done the 12-6 9-3 grab test on the tire? Might be a bearing.

mk378

It doesn't sound like it's a bad axle. If it is noticeable even at very slow speed the first thing I would suspect is a tire that is not round. Visually inspect the tires (both the easily visible part and the inside side as well) for bulges or other non-symmetric shape. Find the flattest pavement you can (such as the concrete at a gas station), hold the wheel loosely and creep straight ahead at walking speed. Feel for a "once around" shimmy back and forth. That would be either a bad tire or a bent wheel.

When you aren't sure, it's important not to tell your mechanic "Replace X part" because the actual problem may not even be with that part. Tell him that the car wobbles and shakes and go from there.