Does anyone have a picture of a CV boot & joint?

On the way home today, I heard this high pitch creaking sound (not like lower pitch body noises in winter) from the driver rear side of my CRX. When I parked, I looked in the wheel well and saw that the spring is missing pieces of the rubber coating 2-3 inches across on a few coils down. At my last service, the mechanic wrote that I need to get a rear axle boot replaced. I don't know what the CV joint & boot look like, but I don't think they are part of the spring. For that matter, is the CV joint only on the front? Rear also? Do I need to get the spring replaced as well? Anybody know how much the spring costs? (Just the part, and/or labor also?) The last time I replaced a CV boot, it ran about $170 parts and labor at the dealer.

 

I think you're talking about two totally different things...

If the creaking was from the front, then you need to get your butt in right away to get those CV joints replaced... If it was from the rear, I'm not sure. Jack up your car and make sure your springs are seated where they're supposed to be.

As far as your mechanic telling you that you need to replace the rear axle boot... I'm stumped. There's no such thing as a rear axle boot, but there are boots on the front inner and outer CV joints, so maybe it was just a misunderstanding. If he really was talking about replacing the cv boots in the front, and you didn't do it when he said it needed to be done, then the creaking noise you heard is probably from a failed CV joint in the front... see above about getting in NOW to get it replaced before you drive the car anymore.

Anyway, good luck. I just replaced all four CV boots on my 95 civic. My joints were actually fine, the torn boot was only torn for a few days so all the grease didn't come out and little contamination got in. I was lucky though. I'd take it into a trusted mechanic and describe what you heard and what you think it might be, and let him check it over.


[Modified by matt-eg, 9:14 AM 7/2/2002]

 

As I said, the noise was from the rear, not the front. Does anyone know if the rubber gone off the spring means I need to get the entire spring replaced? The other thing I noticed is when I hit a bump, like cornering onto a driveway to a shopping center, the rear end doesn't handle it real well. I feel a small hop - hopefully the shocks aren't gone also?

The service was about 2 weeks ago, and he wrote "need to get rear axle boot replaced soon".

 

The rubber flakes off of the springs over time. It's no big deal. It won't affect (effect) anything other than maybe a little noise (not usually squeeking).

Unless this is a CRV that we're talking about, there is NO rear CV joint, axel, or CV boot. Its a front wheel drive car. If he meant that you need a front CV boot, then don't get hosed for $170 again. Go to the nearest auto parts store, and order an axel for $100 (or less) and put it in. It takes about 30 min to put an axel in a honda even if you don't know what you're doing (assuming things come apart as they should).

Either way, have someone stand outside the car and figure out where the sound is coming from. You'd be surprised how much more people can hear outside the car. If it only happens at road speed, then have someone ride with you and sit in the rear.

Really what I'm saying is we need more info, but I personally guarentee that it is NOT a rear CV boot if it is a FWD car.

 

FWIW, I had a broken front spring that would creak or groan. The spring shifted to the side and was rubbing on the shock's dust cover. Might want to check that out. OEM springs were $45 each in my case.