I was talking with a mechanic about my struts. Long story-short - He mentioned that the struts were fine, but the CV boots will need to be replaced. He suggested in having only the boots replaced. My question is this ok. It sounds logical in that replacing only the boot with OEM but is it ok to do this? I must admit that I don't know much about the struts/lower control arm, etc.

Thanks!

Oh yea, can anyone suggest where to get the boots or if you have a part # - that would be great too!!!

 

As long as the joints are in good shape, the old boots are not already open allowing contamination to get into the joint, then replacing the boots is excellent preventitive maintenance.

 

If they are busted, replace them, if you hear a clicking while turning, time to get new axles.

 

If the mechanic is confident that the joints inside are ok, then re-booting them is fine. Just be sure that they will pull the axle and install one-piece boots. There are two-piece boots that are cheaper/easier to install and don't last long at all.

If you're doing it yourself, the re-booting option is a little cheaper, but a big mess. So I recommend changing the whole axle in that case.

 

Napa has the boot for i believe 15$ or less, http://www.motorvate.ca/mvp.php/401 has a write up, its a fun day project if you have the time, if not I'd just get the remanufactured axle for 65, even if your paying a mechanic to do it the extra labor time for changing the boot might cancel out the savings of just spending more money for the axle but saving time.

 

I was actually going to get original boots from Nissan and have the mechanic replace them. They do not have a tear and the steering is fine. It was more of a 'by the way' comment he made. He suggests OEM since he had problems with after market parts. I figure it like this... it I can get away with just replacing the boot, the parts protected should be good for another few years!

 

Just recently, my CV boots were gone, and my mechanic replaced the entire CV joint. He indicated that he prefers to do the entire joint to prevent any future issues. Just my .002 worth.

 

He got the CV joints from AutoZone for about $90 each after the rebate upon return.

 

Trust me when i tell you man, if your boot has been busted for a while, replace the entire axle. salt, dirt, and tar have probably gotten into the boot and into the cv joints...at this point you cant expect within the next 2-3 months to hear a clicking axle and see dripping grease especially when it begans to get warm out. the salt and the dirt liquifies the bearing grease and the grease begins to drip out of the tear. your best bet would be to just get a new axle, hell they are only 65 bucks anyway! but whatever you choose to do, DO NOT PURCHASE THE SPLIT BOOT- they last a good 1 month at best.
http://www.napaonline.com/masterpage...+Front+-+Remfd

 

Do not get ebay boots. they only came with one clip. I have had so many problems since I put those on. Just get a new axle it will come with the boots and its better for the car anyway.

 

bro just replace the whole axle..it' almost the same price after you buy all the parts... trust me... and it's a hell lot more work too...

 

If you don't know much about the replacement and you have a shop do it you're better off getting the axle replaced. It will cost the same. I was charged about $200 to replace the axle so $400 total, this includes parts. It would have cost the same to replace the CV due to it's the same amount of labor, in that they have to take all that stuff off to replace it anyway.

If you can do it yourself then you'll save yourself a ton of money cause you can just do the boots. Personnally I prefer to eat bread all week and have someone else do it. At least stuff like this.

 

if you guys read his posts down you would see that his boots are not ripped now, so contamination is not a factor.

If the boots aren't ripped, just replacing them is good PM. If they turn out to be ripped, you should do axles, but it sounds like you don't need to.

 

Interesting, I've called a few Stealerships and got quotes for the set of axles from $250 for the set to $500! Any suggestions from other dealerships? I know it's a lot of $$ vs getting after market parts, but there are just some things I like to have OEM. Any suggestions for other prices/dealerships?

Thanks

 

If dirt has not contaminated the CV join, I think replacing the boot with Nissan OEM boot is best.

 

I just paid $239 each today, so I like your $200 price. I didn't even know my boots were torn until yesterday, when I had my wheel turned all the way to the left. The grease is all over the inside of the rim on the left, but only a little on the right. Car is 99 months old, with 124k FYI.

A guy at work did a Maxima himself and said it was so much easier than he thought. But I'm like you, this time I'd rather pay....and after reading the procedure, it doesn't seem to make any sense to me to just do the boots since the axle must be undone anyway. In other words, the part isn't that much, and the labor should be the same either way. So just replace the part too and be good for another hopefully 125k...unless it's the OEM thing where you want the OEM boot but not the OEM axles. Wow, the OEM prices are unbelievable.....

 

I bought the axle and boot at O'Reilly's for about $55. It carries a lifetime guarantee. If the boot ever tears, I take the old axle off, take it in and they replace it for free.