Replacing the CV joints, How hard could it be? Options

[Delta_Phoenix]

one of my CV joint boots has decided to start throwing grease all over the place. i'm kind of afraid to go searching around for how much a shop would charge to replace them. the parts alone are gonna be like $160.

would it be worth my time to just do it myself? I like workin on my car, but i don't wanna get myself into something that i'm gonna regret after i get started.

or maybe I'll just get John to do it

btw, i'm going to replace the joints AND the boots on both sides of the car

This post has been edited by Delta_Phoenix: Jan 10, 2004 - 8:22 PM

[blkGT]

its usually cheaper to replace the whole front axle then just the joint.

if its your boot change it immediately, otherwise once u get some dirt in the holes your gonna have to go back and change the joint anyways. therefor making it easier to just change the whole front axle the first time!

sigh, that was alot

[Delta_Phoenix]

I was going to replace the joints and the boots on both sides, but would I really have to replace the entire axle? I'm not very educated in the drivetrain parts so I'm not sure what I'd need to replace and what not to. It's only the passenger side boot that's damaged. I have grease all over my front passenger wheel, and the joint is also starting to pop when I make sharp turns.

[presure2]

yea, you'll be MUCH better off replacing the whole axel..(i just did both sides on my car.) its really not too hard....as long as your tranny seals dont need replacing...
you can get remanufactured axels for like 70$ each.

[blkGT]

[Delta_Phoenix]

So if I replace the axles will I have to replace the CV joints and boots as well?

What's the easiest way to get an axle out? I helped John get the axles out of the 4A-GZE tranny. It took 2 people to get the passenger side out by pulling on it with a rope, and John had to hammer the other one out. That was an entire day's work in itself.

[Mynzeyes]

if you replace the whole axles...it may not be cheaper, but it's a HELL of a lot easier and quicker. and, you'll have new cv boots and joints, and a whole new axle. . everyone's happy. just remember to replace the seal when you replace the axles.. ::sigh::

-John-

[presure2]

oh god john, you had to mention seals, huh??? god them things took me FOREVER....till i got the right puller...then it was getting the new on in!! (pass side)
divers side is easy..hehe

[BEEFSTEW800]

as long as you have all the right tools it shouldnt be too hard to change it out, and if it is already making a popping noise then the joint has gone bad. every time i have changed out an axle i havent replaced the seal and it has never givin me any problems leaking. i think at my shop we only charge 60-75 bucks to change the axle, and if the driver side is not busted, then you dont need to change it.

[klr_toy]

both mine were shot, so I changed them about a month ago. Took a couple hours, but we had air tools and a lift. The lift is what really makes it easy. The only thing that held us up is the clips that hold the axles in were rusted and took some time to free. The driver side was the most pain. We had to hook a dent puller to a pair of vise-grips to pull the axle out because the joint had pulled out and there was just the metal peice that goes into the trans-axle. Did the job though. So much better. No more vibrations... no more clicking on the freeway and when I accelarate. got my axles from les schwab. couldn't tell you the price cause they were freebies. Not too hard though, access to a lift is what will make it a pain or not.

Cody

[wind]

mine started spraying grease all over the place cause the boot had split open.... we cut the boot off and inspected the grease and joint and there was no dirt....so we bought a "split boot" re-greased the joint and put the new boot on.... total cost = $25 canadian

its been 5 months now.... no problems at all