Need Advice on CV Boot Replacement!

[rpr]

I just noticed my passenge side CV boot is split and I am loosing grease. The local dealer wants $112 labor (1.5 hrs), plus $52 for the CV boot, plus tax.

How difficult is this to try myself? Should I just fork ovcer the ~$180 for this to avoid the hassle? I'm all for saving a few bucks on the simpler items (I just did the shocks and IAC valve), but I really don't feel like biting off more than I can chew right now.

Any thoughts?

 

[rpr]

Help?

 

[Doug]

Ive never done them before but from what i hear all you need to get them off is a pickle fork. you best bet is to pick up a haynes or chiltons manual and read that.

 

[lonestar]

You should have 3 options.
Split boot : simply cut off old boot, pack as much grease as possible back into CV joint and then slid boot over joint and fasten together with little screws and zip ties where metal bands hold original boot to half shaft. However, this does remove any dirt or water that may have gotten in joint.

Factory solid boot: About $10-15 from NAPA and a crimping tool to crimp metal bands. Not to bad a job. Just take off hub nut, slip shaft out of splines, slip off joint, clean thouroughly, repack, replace boot, reassemble into hub. No speacial tools required, except for the criimper. Read Haynes manual for more detail instructions.

Half shaft: You can buy the whole half shaft for about $120 with both inner and outer CV joints, new boots and everything. Just remove entinre half shaft and replace. Saves time of removing joint and replaces both boots at the same time.

I've replaced several on front wheel drive Taraus and Escort, it's not that bad. It takes about 4-5 hours though.

 

[Ex95XLT]

we replaced whole half shaft b4...took about 4 hours but its worth it imo...just get whole new thing for the extra money and replace whole thing...