I noticed this increasingly in the past few days. As I turn right while going on the road, something would click rattle and grind, sounds like its coming from the left front wheel area. When I checked today, there's black sticky fluid at the bottom of the cv boot for the tie rod. Could someone plz tell me whats wrong and what I should do?

 

cv boot needs to be replaced

 

If its the tie rod or a ball joint that leaking, its just reffered to as, tie rod or ball joint. "Cv boot for the tie rod" may sound confusing.

If its the tie rod, its easy to do yourself, but you will most likley to an alignment afterward. The tie rod is used for steering. It has a lock nut and just unscrews when its loose. You may need a balljoint seperator tool.

If its a ball joint, I've never taken a close enough look but Im not sure if you can replace them. Some cars require a new suspension component with it attached.

If its a cv boot, its obvious there will be a cut or tear in the boot at least. There will be nasty grease all over the place from being flung around while driving. The axle needs to come out. Thats a little more involved but not too difficult with the right tools.

Whatever the problem is you need to fix it before it wears out your tires and the rest of your suspension, or axles.


[Modified by kinesistech, 11:11 AM 7/19/2002]

 

not just your boots, if its clicking then the sand has already gotten in there good, gotta change your cv joins/axle's

its not hard I paid like 50.00 per cv joint and it took about 1-2 hours to change.

 

is it possible to just change the boot? cuz mine is tore but the joint itself seems fine.

oh wait i just rerear the post and nosmas said to just replace the boot. how much would the boot run me?


[Modified by Vic Nyce, 10:03 AM 7/19/2002]

 

yeah they're cheaper, like 20-30 dollars a piece I think, call autozone...

but if any sand got in there, down the road you could have problems.

 

hey, thanx guys for the replies. I checked and its NOT the boot on the axle, it's the plastic boot at the end of the tie rod that connects to the middle steering assmebly. The boot is not cracked, just seems to be leaking out of one end.

Now I dont experience the noise all the time, just when I turn alittle hard to the right. So do you think its ok to just replace the boot?

 

I dont know for sure, but if sand got in there its gonna click, and probably slowly get worse

that boot is called the inner boot I think.

 

not a licensed mechanic, but from my experience, clicking sound when turning is most likely a damaged cv joint. if its just the boot alone and the joint is fine, i doubt there would even be that much noise, but u'd have grease all over, esp on the inside on ur rim.

if its the inner (near the tranny) boot or joint, they are both easy to change
if its the outer (near the wheel) boot, it is a slightly longer process to change, but not that difficult. if its the outer joint, i think it will be a little harder to change.


-alan

 

I have an integra and need to replace my axles. Could anyone tell me where I could find the procedure cause I'm used to RWD so I've never done a CV axle change.