I just had the car up on a lift for an oil change and noticed both of my CV axle boots torn open, spilling grease out. Does this happen often to these cars?
How important is it that I fix this? I don't hear any bearing ringing or noises of any kind while I drive.

I did track down some new CV axles for $60/each, so I might just do it.

Anyone have any expierience with this?

TIA.

 

how many miles on the car?
if they are torn replace them ASAP or you will have no grease left, it cheaper than replacing the bearing, axle and hub.

 

How the hell will a torn CV boot affect the wheel bearing (I'm assuming you mean wheel bearing as that is the closest bearing to the CV), or the hub?

A torn CV boot will do no more, and no less than damage the CV itself.

m0bius, if your CV's really are still ok, I would clean the CV out, repack with grease and then put on a two-piece boot. If your CV's are toast, just buy the replacement ones and slap them on. It's really a simple job.

 

yeah im talking about the wheel bearing. I had to replace all three (axle hub and bearing) in my car, and im not saying that the cause was the cv boot, but there is a reason its there to keep moving parts greased up. So if its broken you sould fix it

 

I just replaced both axles yesterday......do it asap...before the clicking from turning starts

you can get them from any local parts store they will charge you more until you bring your stock ones aka core axles back in...

 

Yeah, i just replaced my CV's on my 96, Cheper than needing new axles!! When you start hearing clicking noises bad news.

 

I'm going to pick up a pair of these at a parts store sometime this week.
Did all GLE's come with limitied-slip? I'm not sure if my GLE has it and I can't purchase these CV axles until I know.

Thanks guys.

 

You wish! The only 4th gen Maximas with VLSD are the Canadian SE 5-spd, and the 99.5 SE-L 5-spd.

 

Autozone The Whole Complete Axle $55

 

Autozone told me $80 per CV axle. I tracked them down for $60 per CV axle at O'Reilly.

 

You might consider replacing the whole axle/CV joint assembly as a unit if the boots have been torn for any length of time. . .

(Usually measurable by the amount of grease sprayed all over your wheel/suspension - all who've been down this road know what I'm talking about)

Check out www.raxles.com - more expensive, but may make more sense than the auto-parts store option.


PS: Also see - http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=267189

(I don't know "arraffio," but if I needed an axle, I'd buy this one in a heartbeat. I have the same raxles CV/axle in my car and I'm about to put another one in the driver's side - superior product, superior service @ www.raxles.com)

If you plan on keeping your car for any length of time, seriously consider the Raxles option - (if you plan to sell inside of a year or so, go with the cheaper part, I suppose).