I have 165K miles on my '96. She definitely needs new struts, but the CV joints seem to be holding up. I'm guessing that they'll be the next to go. I'm mostly a "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" guy....But I wonder if it makes sense to swap out the axles while I've got the struts out.

Thoughts? Should I expect a lot more out of the CV joints?

 

if the CVs are in good shape, and not making any noise, then there is no need to change them unless you just have money to burn.

 

The indicator is if you hear clicking noises while turning, if not, leave them be.

 

Thanks for the responses....I'll leave them be.

 

Personally I would just swap them since your in there, at autozone they are $65.00 each.total $130.00 Plus if you swap your struts, you would need an alignment after that. And in the future when you do need axles your going to have to pay for another alignment. Thats 2 alignments,instead of 1 being that you do the struts and axles at the same time, and who knows your axles can be good for another year or another monthNot trying to jynx you but I'm being realistic. But if you have that extra cash just do it. I know that just swapping the struts and not the axles would definetly be on my mind every time I would get in my Maxima.

 

interesting point marco, but if the axles are good (I feel) wheather your in there or not, no need to change them. Were under our hoods a lot but no need to change the spark plugs every time, or PCV valve or MAF.

I'm sorry but I refuse to let my car ride on an autozone/advaced/etc axle. I had a unpleasant experience with their axles (http://raxles.com/testimonials_page_four.aspx - 2nd to last testimonial). Of course I could have just gotten a bad one out of bunch.

My driver side axle didnt go bad and start clicking till about 2 years after I owned the car, and who knows how long before that. Point is it could be a while before he need to replace the axles.

Best to leave them be, save the ~$160 you'd spend in axles + headache and time spent under the car getting them out minus time that could be spent doing something more enjoyable.

 

hey, how much did the raxles cost you mdeezy?

 

I think Im in need of a raxle passanger axle

 

I definetly understand that if they aint broke don't fix it. But this is my 3rd maxima, and all of them i had to replace the axles. Not saying all of them go out but there bound to do so, just a matter of time. And it would suck if he replaced the struts and then his axles start to tear soon after. Hopefully he gets plenty of more miles on them. As far as autozone's I have great luck on all my maxima's with there axles. Never had a problem.

 

Driver side was about $120.

I now need to order the passenger side (mine seized up), so I'll be calling Raxles early in the mourning to get my passenger side axle. I think its about $150 for it.

 

Order one for me too