How long can I go without replacing the drivers side CV shaft?

I had the oil changed in Max today and of course they found something else wrong. The last time I had my oil changed, 2 months ago, the place I usually go to didnt say anything about it. Now, 2 months, 4000mi later and a different shop, they find the drivers side CV shaft shot.

Is that really something that can go from okay to needing replacement in 2 months or 4000mi without me ever knowing? The car has driven the same since I got it in Feb '01.

Should I just take it to my usual place and see if they find anything or what?

Thanks. (I already searched on this with no luck)

 

that's pretty normal... the boots usually go around 100k miles, or 5-6 years. if you go longer than that, consider yourself lucky. I've had two boots go out within a year on the same axle (I replaced it after the first boot went).


anyway, you can keep driving on it for a while.. when you start to hear clicking sounds when you turn the wheel, then it's definitely time to replace it, as it's about to completely stop working.



one way to check if the boot has been torn for a long time... does the wheel and wheel well of the side with the bad boot have grease all over them? If not, then it's been there a loooong time. If it's got fresh grease everywhere, then the torn boot is something recent.

 

Its really hard to give a life estimation on a part like that. You'll notice that when you turn hard you'll start hearing a clicking noise. Then it starts to click when making slight turns then it starts to make the noise when going straight. It all depends on the condition of the grease. Its not going to get better. You didn't mention it but did they just tell you that your boot was open? Just replace the whole axle when you get it fixed. Its a lot less in labor than to have the CV joint rebuilt.

 

Okay thanks.

CV shaft = CV boot?

I swear that I had a CV boot replaced in the not too distance past. I dont recall which one at the momemt, but it is definately something to look into.

 

i have been riding around with a clicking axle for almost 3 weeks now..still not sure what im goin to do..but i need to get it fixed!
*what i have found out*
-new axles are about 130 bucks
-new/rebuilt axles are only 50 bucks (after you trade in your old one) at auto zone.
-i got quoted 90 bucks labor for one side... and im guessing if they do both sides it wont be as expensive (prob. about 150)

 

I have done an axle replacement on the drivers side and its not that bad, labor wise. You might want to think about saving some cash and doing it yourself. All I used for reference was the Haynes manual.


btw, has anyone ever had a shop tell you that an axle is clicking because your car is too low? it sounds rediculous to me, but they say that the angle is messed up so it puts alot of pressure on the joints... T/F

 

just to save you some money in the future on your suspension, you should change your CV boot NOW!!! The CV boot holds in that grease that lubes the knuckle between the CV Shaft( which is also the drive shaft or outer shaft). If your boot is cracked or opened, you're losing that grease, and you should notice a good amount of grease accumulating on your front wishbones (if that's what they're called), because as you drive, that shaft turns with your wheel, and so at high speeds, the grease is being flung out of the boot.

It cost me like $60 parts and labor to do 1 CV boot. I don't know about any other mechanics, but they shouldn't charge you less for doing both sides, even though that is recommended.

 

I drove my max for six months without cv boots. Really, you can probably get away with it for longer than that, but once they start clicking, change them. $150 @ auto zone, and about six hours on a saturday afternoon, and you'll be all new

 

i waited to replace mine on my se-r. so i just had to drop 300 for new axles. when it could have been a 100, 50 labor for each side. axles i will do myself to save money since i already spent 300 on parts alone. change them soon.

 

My friend drove his accord for a year and a half with CLICKING CV's before they broke and he could no longer drive it. My boot on the drivers side is busted too. One of those things that has to wait a while. At the least you'll make it through winter.

 

my mechanic told me that once the boot has been open for 8 hrs that the axle has undergone enuf damage and loss of life that u should replace it neway...i would imagine this would be dependent on the weather conditions and road conditions, but it the boot is broken not only r u losing grease, but dirt, water, and all kindsa crap is gettin in there 2...if i were u i would replace the axle yourself, its not that hard ive heard, and its not 2 spensive either as long as your core is still good (one of mine wasnt when the shop replaced mine cause the end had been hit w/ a hammer 2 hard and mushroomed out so they had 2 saw it off) also, while youre at it u might as well replace both axles at the same time...less hassle later and the other will prolly go soon neway...

the whole wheel assembly on my car is still covered in grease from those b!tches

 

Realize one thing, it is in your mechanic's best interests to tell you this kind of stuff. And he is right, once it is exposed, that's it, dirt gets in the grease and the deterioration begins. But know this. Even open, they last a very long time, could be months before they show signs of clicking, depending on how much you drive. Second, at the shop I worked at, I loved getting axles because we could bill 2 hours and I could get it done in one, so I make $$, the shop makes money, and so on. Trust me on this, it isn't a bad idea to change them right away, but if you have low cash flow, don't blow your paycheck because you noticed the boots are torn.