JustinMKN

I've got a couple repairs coming up, specifically Firestone has been telling me for about a year that my "Half Shafts" boths sides in the front need to be replaced. That the boots are split open and grease is leaking out and their noisy. Its about $400 for the Front Left, and 300 for the Front right.

They also mentioned my Sway Bar needed to be replace, that was about $120 (remove and replace F Stabilizer bar, control link). 65 Parts, 66 Labor. They said its noisey.

Just wanted to check in and get some feed back. These relatively easy things to replace for DIY? Does it make sense to replace anything else while I'm having this work done my self or at a shop?

If DIY anyone have a suggestion for Parts? or autozone/Napa?

BlackMacks

iTrader: (3)

See, this is the exact type of BS that helps me despise repair shops. OP, your CV axles aka "half shafts" are not that bad to replace yourself, search for threads on the subject. They're about $70/ea, in a reman, so you're gonna throw away the other $560?

And that crap about the front sway bar needing replacing because it's "noisy", for f@ck's sake, make me wanna slap someone. That's probably your end links, they're known for wearing out and making racket, again, search for threads, they're what, $20-$30 for the pair? so you're throwing away another $100.

Can't stand repair shops that prey on the ignorant!

JwaxMax99

iTrader: (14)

Get the Moog sway bar links. They are made out of thicker steel than OEM, top quality made in Japan. AutoZone and Advance Auto axles are lifetime and $69 or so, get em.

JustinMKN

Thanks for the feedback. I'll find a write up on how to replace the "CV Axles". The parts for front left, and front right were both around $160 for parts, but the labor was $150 for passenger, and $200+ for Driver side.

I'll also google MOOG Sway bar links, if they are only $20 thats a cheap fix. I've got a couple other things lined up to fix and DIY stuff.

mandyfig

CV joints are $150 per side all inclusive. $70 for the part, lifetime warranty and $80 for labor. Very common. Anything more is a rip off.

Rochester

iTrader: (3)

Highly unlikely that your FSB is damaged (bent), but stranger things have happened. Anyway, here's a retailer for FSB end-links:Get the FSB bushings while you're at it. 23mm for SE model... 22mm otherwise.

JustinMKN

Best I could find from a local shop for a front end replace and labor is 450 plus tax. But he said it's just not the cv joints it's the axles as well. Seems it's cheaper to do that as well. A step in the right direction not sure I can replace both on my own!

kbohip

What? The cv joints are connected to the axles. They all come together as one part. As someone else said earlier in the thread, Auto Zone or ADvance Auto usually sells them for around $70.00 each side with a lifetime warranty. It sounds like people are trying to rip you off to me.

Amave

just for the record i'm an advocate of learning to DIY for exactly that reason.

too bad you didnt notice the boot ripped early enough you could have just replaced the boot with an EMPI boot kit, i just replaced mine last month because it was flinging grease from the clamp...wasnt even torn , but i figured might as well replace the whole boot and clamps if i was going to remove the axle...

and op the axles are super easy to replace, just take a few hours of time and get some tools, mostly 14, 17, and a 32 mm socket for the axle nut and replace it yourself...

also PB Blaster is your friend , your best friend when it comes to rusted nut & bolts


i wish i would have done a writeup on removing the axle when i did mine but i was at work and my camera was at home when i did it

soto2635

iTrader: (3)

fire stone is full of crap dont let them tell u all these crazy things, i went there the other day to get an alignment and they told me i needed an outer tie rod, they damn thing cost $20, and they wanted to charge me $220 they are out of there minds. most things you can do urself and there are pleanty of write ups on here save ur money.