i found grease on my front right tire when i took it off. where could it be coming from? it is gray in color.

 

Your CV boot has torn open. You need to have your axel rebuilt or replaced.

 

how much would that cost? how long do i have before it goes all the way out?

 

Depends. Depends if you just replace the boot, or replace the axle, or if it's the driver's side or the passenger side or................

Easiest thing to do is replace the entire axle assembly. Go to raxles.com for the part.

A competant mechanic will only charge you 1 hour labor at most.

 

CV Boot is leaking (or torn).If you catch it soon, all you may need is new boots (may as well do both sides). If you continue to drive it, you will damage the cv joints. Avoid driving till fixed. Are you getting any "clicking" noises yet? That means you've gone too long.

 

Around $200 total for the job. If you don't replace it before it breaks the car could be disabled, stranding you and costing you more in the long run. Plus you have to deal with a tow.

 

I just had mine done at Nissan, took abour 1 hour and cost me $225.

 

Is that for right and left or just 1 cause the dealership quoted me about 600.

 

i went to jeff from maximum tuning yesterday in long island. he did a great job and charged me only $230 for 2 rebuilt axles and labor. fast and friendly service. thanks jeff.

 

I used to just swap out the axles on my other cars, but now i hear that they are often not up to spec. i did check out the raxles web site. their stuff seems to be very high quality, but very pricey. getting a half shaft from nissan is also very expensive. we just changed my friend's cv boots the other week. here's a few pointers if you want to do it yourself:
1. change the boots ASAP
2. do not use a split boot.
all you do is take tire off
remove castle nut and axle nut. 36mm socket
remove bolts holding strut/spring assembly to the wheel hub
put nut back on axle a few turns, gently tap a few times w/hammer to loosen shaft
pull shaft out of hub. turning steering wheel either way may help if you don't have enough clearance
cut metal bands holding old boot on
cut old boot off
gently tap the outside hub with a brass hammer or use a piece of wood to keep from damaging hub.
it will pop off
clean all grease w/brake cleaner
let dry
pack w/grease
put it all back together backwards putting boot on shaft first.