arthur glazier

My drivers side outside cv boot is cracked,so i thought i would get both left and right outside boots done.I have 144k miles so i know the other one is not far behind.I got a price of 75.00 a side plus 45 for alignment for a total of 195.00.Is that agood price?Do you think i should do the inside one's at the sametime?

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

Nope, outers always go WAYYY before inners.

Ummm, are you serious about price? That is a BERY good price, the cost of boot kits plus the fact that it is SUCH a greasy job means $75 is fantastic. Obviously the pricing is exceptional though anyways, $45 for an alignment is a great indicator.

Czerkas

iTrader: (1)

damn where do you go for 45 dollar alignment?

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Get full replacement axles. Don't bother with boot kits, you'll only be doing the job again.

And while you're at it, make sure you get them from Raxles.
www.raxles.com

Additionally, if you're aligned before you get the axles replaced, and you know what you're doing, you won't need an alignment afterwards.

arthur glazier

The price was from bear frame and wheel in Glendora Ca.

NmexMAX

iTrader: (22)

I will with post #4.

I have also paid about 75$ for an axle replacement, not including parts. I pay less than $40 every time I get an alignment.

SilverGLE

iTrader: (21)

I didn't have the cash for Raxles, so I bought Advanced Auto brand (GSP, IIRC). It was the only non-rebuilt axle I could find. I want to say I spent something around $175 for both fronts after taxes & shop fees. I just have a lifetime alignment from Firestone, just take my care in every 6-12 months with my lifetime B&R.

nismowolfe

iTrader: (11)

arthur glazier

Are you guys saying the left and right axles were 175.00 installed?I did not know that they were that cheap.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

No.

Raxles price for driver's side is somewhere in the $140's, passenger in the $170's.

That includes shipping, and return shipping for the cores, for both those heavy a$$ axles.

It's worth it.

SkoorbMax

I have never found an alignment for less than $65 and I've looked around quite a bit.

I am currently (car is on jacks) replacing both front axles as both outer boots went at the same time (2000 max, 110k miles). I am using advance auto parts new (non-reman) axles for about $172 total (no core fee). Raxles I got a quote from but I think they wanted about $330 shipped for two new axles.

Given that a new axle from advance auto parts is $85, I don't think it's worth having anybody (yourself or a mechanic) replace the boots. I have done the job once and it's hellaciously messy and takes a while. Much better to just get a whole axle.

I got quotes from two local places and one wanted about $490 incl labor (no alignment) for new axles (or maybe reman, they didn't specify) and another wanted 1.5 hours labor per side if I supplied my own parts. I know that a good mechanic could do 1.5 hours or less for both if they're doing replacements, so I thought that was way too high--hence doing it myself.

I've heard also that you should not need an alignment or at the worst if you mark on the strut (not sure what that means, though), then you won't need one after axle replacement.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Or, if you don't touch the strut at all, and disconnect only the balljoint and sway bar link, you'll be able to drop the control arm as low as you want and get the axle out with ease. Bolt everything back up and no alignment is necessary at all. I've done it and seen it done multiple times, and confirmed that everything was still within spec after the axle job.

AlpineGt66

iTrader: (8)

interesting, I have done the axle job a couple of times. I have never gone about doing it like that though. Any special tools are needed for how you explain it above? Does it take longer, and just saves you just the trouble of not having to do an alignment?

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

No special tools. You need a box wrench for the ball joint castle nut, I think it's in the 22-24mm range. You might also need a prybar to get the nut off the sway bar link, because it spins when you try to remove it.

Takes the same amount of time I'd say, and yes, if the 2 strut bolts going through the hub aren't touched, no alignment necessary.

SkoorbMax

Thanks for the idea--are there pictuers anywhere on the net to explain it? The process I used in the past and had intended to use tonight was the one on motorvate.ca, which calls for undoing the two large bolts that connect to the strut.

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

I have an 02 Maxima with 69K and the right side inner CV boot has to be replaced. I have checked around and no one, but Nissan has the part and they quoted me $431.00 parts and labor. That seems high.

I also talked to one of my friends who is a mechanic at a Nissan dealer and he told me to just replace the inner CV boot and do nothing else. What do you all think?

Should I replace everything both inner and outer CV boots as well as the axles? Sorry for the frustration, but I am new to this problem.

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Just spoke with a rep. at Raxles and while the entire right axle assembly is only $150, he does not have any for a 6-speed. I am going to replace the entire axle, because it is much more labor intensive to replace the right inner CV boot only. So does anyone know where I should order the right axle from other than Raxles?

SkoorbMax

That's why you don't go to Nissan for service unless you absolutely have to. In this situation, you should order a replacement axle online--raxles.com, for example and bring it to a local mechanic to have him do the work.

If your boot is already ripped open, it's probably a good idea to get a new axle as replacing a boot may already be too late due to grease that's leaked out. If your INNER has gone, then yes get the right done, too, as it's likely to go at some stage, but if you get a new axle it'll come with two fresh boots anyway.

I avoid dealerships at all costs and since this part is not critical (you can drive with it as is for a while), then you can wait a few days for the part to come in.

Can your friend do the labor for you at his house. Paying $400+ for one side is just an absolute travesty and it is not necessary.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I would wait until Raxles gets one in. Your boot is already ripped, another week or two (max) isn't going to make a difference.

SkoorbMax

Google "2002 maxima axle". I clicked the first link (drivewire.com) and they have an 02 manual tranny right and left axle in stock from what I could tell. There may be a core fee, which is basically a deposit and then you send them your old axle after to get your money back (can ask that of the mechanic to shove it in your trunk).

It is not hard labor and I have to again stress to find a friend to do it if you don't want to. I bet that friend mechanic of yours would be quite pleased to get $60-70 for the job since that's more than he would make at the dealership (and much cheaper than you'd pay the dealership)

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I've got no pictures nor writeup. It's really very simple.

-Remove the cotter pin for the ball joint nut, and the nut for the sway bar link.
-Remove axle nut.
-Use prybar to lower LCA
-Once LCA lowers, pull the hub (which is also connected to the strut assembly) out of the wheel well towards you. The entire assembly will pivot on the strut mount at the top. Don't pull too hard to risk damaging strut mount or strut bearing.
-Axle will come out of hub.
-Lower the axle under the hub and remove per standard procedure.
-Reverse directions for reinstallation.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Or just ask around to see who is local to you that would be willing to do the labor. One of the reasons we have regional forums....

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for all of the help fellas it is much appreciated. As soon as I finished writing the last post, I did Google "2002 maxima axle" and found a bunch, but I wanted to know if there was a preference for quality, i.e. Raxles, or vendors to stay away from.

I did find a used axle down the street for $150, but I feel like if the Raxles one is $150 brand new, why should I pay $150 for a used one? I would like to be able to wait on one from Raxles, but I have to get his down ASAP, because without it my car will not pass inspection in Maryland and I cannot register my car.

Other than Raxles does it really matter who I would use to purchase the right axle?

SkoorbMax

You might want to check on that. My boots were found bad by the inspector in NY state--their compromised state did not affect inspection at all and I passed otherwise.

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Thanks again for the help. I just ordered a brand new right EMPI axle for $111.54 + 22.26 (2nd day Air) = $133.80 from DriveWire. The part comes with a one year warranty. I figured it was best to go with a new axle rather than a re-manned or used. Hopefully EMPI puts out a quality axle.

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Well, as it turns out EMPI is not that high quality! The only option at this point is to take the right axle out of my car, send it to Raxles and wait like 7 days for them to send it back. WTF!?!

KRRZ350

iTrader: (29)

Or buy the grease and boot kit for super cheap from Napa and do it yourself........

Max_Gator

That's what I did but I did the axles myself.

I think I got quoted about 100/side for replacement axles from a shop. I'll bet you that's what they will do anyway.

Paid more for Raxles and did the job mself.

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Marty @ Raxles said that he cannot give me a definitive date on when he will have a right side axle to ship me, so I paniced and ordered an EMPI axle from Drivewire. My mistake.

I am thinking of returning the EMPI axle because I have heard not so good reviews on the quality of the product. Can anyone comment on the quality and durability of the EMPI axle? If I returned the EMPI axle I would just wait it out until Raxles has one for me, and then I will likely replace the axle by myself with some help from my buddy.

SkoorbMax

I don't know about their quality, but I have $80 "new" axles waiting to go in my car and don't want to read bad reviews, since by God they're going in anyway. I'd say that if you are paying somebody labor, it may be worth considering something better, but unless these EMPIs are so bad that they die after 10k, which I cannot believe, and you're doing the work yourself, I'd just go ahead and get it done. Next time it should be a bit quicker, too, should you need to do it again.

MTVTMaxima

iTrader: (2)

Thanks man, for the boost of confidence. The worst that could happen is that they are crappy and I have to do it over again. I'll chalk this up to a learning experience and will be sure to let everyone know the results.

SuperStasiu

iTrader: (3)

its quite an easy job also i dont get the point of replacing an entire axle just cuz your boot broke. I do understand that if you were driving around with a broken boot for like a year plus and all the grease came out then yeah maybe replace the axle. Its pretty easy to replace the boot also when your doing that you can take a look at the ball bearings in the joint for wear. oem > napa/autozone or any other cheap rebuilts

SkoorbMax

He had the hiding icon because it's a hell of a job in terms of mess and can take a while, plus if a person lacks the right tools it can take extra long to get the joint apart and back together after. I did the boot once and swore I would not do it again. If money is _really_ tight, sure, but otherwise it's just not worth the hassle, IMO.

arthur glazier

O.K so i decided to just get the 2 outside boots done,it only cost me 150.00They did not have to do a alignment,so you guys were correct on that. Thanks for eveyones input.

Scottwax

iTrader: (8)

A quality rebuilt axle is often at least as good as a new one. The factory axles on my Accord made it to 90,000 miles (right) and 105,000 miles (left) and the rebuilt axles I had put in were still working perfectly when I sold the car with 280,285 miles on it.

It isn't that hard or time consuming to r/r an axle, maybe 30 minutes a side for a good mechanic. The Nissan stealership price is a rip-off.

fast2002

the point of not replacing just the boot is that when the boot is broken, dirt gets in and doesnt get out just by changing the boot. you need a full replace