I was under the car today doing a quick swap on a bad rotor and some brake pads when I noticed the dreaded grease on the wheel well. It took all of 2 seconds to see that the entire tapered end of the passenger side outside boot was completely ripped 360 degrees and separated from the clamped side. Then in the process of temporarily covering that I noticed the radiator hose on the same side was leaking out of the top of the hose where it connects to the metal junction. The hose is not torn but seems to have small amounts of antifreeze squeeze out under the clamp. Anyone seen this happen? I'm thinking maybe reclamping with a better clamp might fix it.

As for the CV joint - I think replacement is the best option. Who has done it on a 6-Gen themselves and how hard is it? How much time would it take?

Thanks

 

You changing it yourself because your car is out of warranty?

I had my passenger side changed and now its time for driver's side. They just go. As to the radiator I noticed that the rubber pieces that hold it up top are completely gone. Check yours, maybe they are gone and the radiatior has too much play hence the leak.

 

Yep, car is out of warranty. Nissan is extremely proud of their Drive-shafts as I think they cost ~$500 just for the part, but the local auto part store is only $70. Anyway, if it is less than 2 hours job with no special tools I might give it a shot. Worst case I'll take it to a guy that will be happy to use a part from Autozone or Advanced.

I know those rubber parts you are talking about on the radiator. Mine are in pretty good shape although I noticed some minor cracking on one of them. Pretty sure that isn't my issue but good thought.

Thanks

 

Go to napa, get the axle (FWD do NOT have driveshafts!!!!!!!) and pull the whole thing. The maxima boot is a pita to do. You can do it without pulling the axle if you like pain (just take it out the knuckle), but for ease pull the whole thing. If you do that, just replace it.

The boots shouldn't fail before 100k and the radiator hose should last at least that as well. How many miles?

 

Exactly! The car has 61k miles and I've already had an A/C hose go bad on it too. Add to that the CV boot and whatever is going on with the radiator hose and I just don't understand it. These should all go 100k easily. I love the Maxima but not sure what is going on with all these parts failing.