Iam the insanely proud owner of a 98 Civic EX ( d16y8 + S40 manual trans)

Im thinking my Shift linkage is loose, sounds like it is jerking around down there in low gears when I shift up (1st and 2nd) anyone know the torque the fasteners are supposed to be at? or if its normal stuff.

Im getting new front tires tomorrow and based on the tread inspection they are noticeably wearing toe-in and will need alignment done. I am also getting the typical clicking sound of a crudded CV joint, but not horribly so. the passenger side boot is torn so I know its that. After looking up the options to either replace the axle in question or a boot fix im more inclined to go with the whole new axle instead because reviews of a boot fix were poor to say the least.
Since I need alignment done im thinking it would be counter productive to have it done prior to replacing the CV axle as that would un-do any alignment adjustments done.

Am I right?

Thanx for any replies and here is a beer,cheers!

 

Absolutely, you'll want to replace the axle before getting an alignment.

And thanks for the beer, next round is on me!

 

+1 on replacing the axle before the alignment.

The "boot fix" is ok if you catch it early but if the CV joint is already clicking, swap the axle because it's out of grease and full of dirt.

 

Replacing axles won't throw off the alignment. You camber is fixed and you toe is set and locked on the tie rod. The only way it's gonna go off is, if the tech unlocks the tie rods. If he does this then he has never done a cv axle before.

 

Ahhh...you know what, you're right. I wasn't thinking, I replaced my axles at the same time I replaced my power steering rack boots, now that I think about it. OP, never mind. As long as all you do is unbolt the tie rod and the lower ball joint, you should be fine.