my C-v joint outer boot is broken on both sides of my car. the cheapest place to change my C-V joints are charging $100/side to change only the C-V joint, or they will charge $170/side to change the whole drive shaft. I find that most people change the whole drive shaft. what do you think i should do? should i just change the whole drive shaft or is it OK to just change the C-V joint?

my car has 85K miles on it

 

Go for the whole shaft.

 

Do the whole shaft. If the other CV joint goes then it's another 100 bucks. I think it's more actual work to just change the CV joint than it is to change the whole shaft...

 

Correct it is more work to just change the boot. Also another thing to worry about is, how long have they been broke? There could be a lot of road grime (dust & such) that would prematurely ruin the new boot if the shop doesn't do a good job of cleaning the old axel and related parts.


[Modified by CB7 Driver, 11:12 AM 2/15/2003]

 

i would just change the boot myself they only cost 7 bucks each for the empi brand ones and i like those ... so i would defently do it myself... it isnt hard to remove the axles

 

change the whole shaft. Since you have to take it out anyways (if you want to put a quality boot on that is) you might as well replace it with a new one.

 

Is there any special tool if I am going to change the whole axle out? I have bad CV Joints .. So I decided to rplace the whole axle on both side since it's cheaper. Do they just slide out ... or could someone give me a quick over view of how to do it?

Thanks,
Branden

 

Any ideas?

 

I think you just need a flathead screwdriver to wedge between the half shaft and the tranny and it will pop out easily.

I don't know for your model and the type of axle you will buy, but maybe it will require you undo the lower ball joint and the fork. If not, grease up the fork and the CV boot, and it will be easier to pass the CV assembly in the forkhole.