Hey, tore my CV boot the other day. I was wondering wether i should replace the whole axle, or jus the boot? I heard replacing the boot costs just as much as replacing the whole axle doesnt it? any feedback welcome

 

get a new axle.

 

a new boot kit costs 10-15 for one. just replace it. unless you dont feel like getting ur hands dirty, just buy a new axle

 

If you tore it literally the other day, you should probably be okay to replace the boot. If you lost grease though, you will have to repack the CV joint. If you got dirt in there then you might have to replace the whole thing.

With all that said, sometimes, it's cheaper and less work to buy a rebuild axle and just replace it than to go through all the work or repacking the joint and replacing the boot.

 

The boot will crack over time. You don't need to replace the axle.

If you want to be sure, take it to a shop. Have it cleaned, repacked with grease, and slip a new cover over it. It should cost about $150 or so. It's cheaper if it's the outter boot. If it's the inner one (closer to the engine), it will cost more, cause there are more stuff to remove.

Had that done on my old G4 Civic at Midas when I had the car. The boot was cracked and leaking for a few months before I noticed. The axle was fine.

But do get it fixed ASAP. To fix an axle is big $$$$

 

throw some slicks on your car and then go drag racing.. hope you break the correct one, that way you wont feel as bad replacing the axle

 

When you turn, do you here clicking and popping? If you do, you are eventually going to need to replace the axel, but if you don't, then you just need to replace the boot. The clicking and popping indicates a damaged axel. With that said, replacing the boot is not all that hard, but it is something a shop can do for you in no time. For example, when I used to have my '94 Civic, the boot tore, and my trusted mechanic, "Honda/Acura Specialists", quoted me a price of $90. That was parts and labor for 1 boot. These guys have always been pretty reasonable on prices. Hope this helps.

 

When its clicking that doesnt nessacarliy mean its broke that just means its running out of grease. I know cuz this happened to me before. I just cleaned them very well and packed some new grease in them. But be carefull cuz if dirt gets in them it could damage the in parts of the axle so get it fixed quick.

 

For the record, you can get the inner joints off. I think the manual tells you to take off the outer and the balancer. Just pop the inner off, its easier.

Anyway though, I recommend just replacing the boot. Buy extra grease and read the instructions. If you put the grease down the center it pushes the dirt up and out the sides.

I hate to admit this, but I drove a car with a ripped boot for quite a while and just cleaned and relaced it in about 45 minutes. Washed my hands, hopped in the car, and drove it 3 hours to college. Its been fine ever since. That was about 2 years ago and I probably put about 450 miles on it with the boot ripped (I was very poor then).

 

spend 150 on it hahahahahahhaha it takes 10 mins to take off the boot and regrese it and put a new boot on. man i would just get a new axle though but inspect the bearings on the tulip for wear like scoring of the bearings. if its ok get the cv boot repair kit if the bearings are scored get a new axle because it will evenyually break.

 

New boots cost about $12.00 each, the after market ones sometimes have grease with them, sometimes they don't. The Honda grease is probably better anyway, they use a different grease for the inner than for the outer (on some cars). A banding tool is required. There are two or three types of tools depending on the band type used. It takes about 1-1/2 hrs to clean and pack both the inner and outer joints on one axle. Honda recommends a new axle nut, most mechanics reuse the old nut if its not damaged badly. Sometimes this is an easy jobs sometimes its a real bitch to get the old axle out. What ever you do, don't use spit boots, they are often sold as replacements because the axle doesn't have to be removed for the replacement. Our shop charges $80.00 + parts to clean, inspect, repack and replace both boots on one axle on most honda vehicles.

 

iam a *** i read the post wrong


[Modified by rainforest, 9:40 PM 1/9/2002]

 

Replace just the boot if you are doing yourself. If a shop is doing it, it's probably more cost effective in the long term if you go with a remanufactured axle w/CV joints. Get the price for the parts & labor and do the math.

 

i agree with civicturbo, it fyou do the job yourself, it is cehaper to just replace the boot, but ify ou have shop to do it, the labor with be pretty much the same & I recommend you to replace the axle. I had a shop replaced my axle(a re-manufactured one) for my 86 Civic Si. It cost me $150 parts & labor.

 

damn where the hell are you guys buying your axles??? i got one for like 70 bucks


ive been driving on my torn boot for about 6 months now..my swap will be here soon, so fawk fixing my boot...it doesnt even pop or click yet

 

Thanks for all the great info...and after much deliberation i replaced the whole axle...just gives me peace of mind knowing the whole axle is new. Cost? $55. labor...myself..ugh...not that bad a deal.


[Modified by davidbui, 4:22 AM 1/10/2002]

 

i would get a new axle. yes, replacing just the boot is cheaper if your doing it your self. but reman axles come with lifetime garauntee. Think about it.

 

http://www.raxles.com