I have two questions and YES i have searched for answers.

1>I havent really had anytime to change my CV boot and I wanted to let a mechanic change it because I work 6 days a week and really havent had time to get under the car. Has anybody let a mechanic do it and how much did it cost ? Better yet how much would it more than likely cost to change the driver side axle?

2> Is it possible to run HID's for the high beams without problems on the e36 headlights? I have the US spec ones (i know i know ) and since I cant put the angel eyes in them cuz they will look ghetto I'm going to run strobes into the small holes at the top of the high beams. I'll see how they will look tomorrow when I try it .Anyway thanx to anyone who can help me with these questions and happy halloween to all the 3rd gens out there !

 

the one time I paid someone to work on my car, it was to replace an axle seal..
they charged $120 to pull the axle, replace the seal, and put the axle back in... so it should cost about the same to replace an axle, plus about $60-100 for the axle.

 

I've had 2 quotes in South Jersey - $180 & $190. Exchange axels run about $60 for DIY. I'm sure no worthwhile saving in paying to have boot replaced instead of axel replacement.

 

It's way easier to pull the axel and replace the whole halfshaft instead of replace the boot and repack it, just of course more money. My boots have been ripped for a while and only noticed them when I was fixing my P/S hose. So, my decision, being that i had no idea of how long they were ripped, is to wait until the axel really needs to be replaced and then do it. No use putting a banded on a broken leg is my theory.

 

i would buy a rebuilt one and replace it myself, its not very hard

 

Well I got my axle replaced at this transmission place near me in Queenz. It cost me 90 bucks (axle and labor). And the noise that sounded like it was coming from the axle has now been corrected......CUZ ITS THE A/T DIFFERENTIAL BEARING. Lucky I got a warranty on my tranny so imma have it looked at and taken care of......Valve Body Recalibration is next......I know I know nothings better than a 5spd.....but anyway thanx guys and I appreciate the help and opinions

 

Replacing the boot only is an absolute waste...unless you want to do the job again in a couple months. The replacement boots are split down the side, and just don't stay sealed.

So by only doing the seal, it will likely split open soon, and when the grease comes out, you may damage the cv joint and have to replace the entire axle assemblies anyway.

I recently did both sides on my car. I think it was under $130 for both sides.

 

If you go the split boot route use crazy glue on addition to the screw they give you.

 

Why would you use the boots with the split instead of the complete boots?

 

don't have to remove the axle to do a split boot.

 

[quote]don't have to remove the axle to do a split boot.[/qoute]
Might as well wrap the joint in gause.