Well, it is a dilemma for me anyway ... because I am looking to save some money here. After 120k miles, my CV boots need replacing and there is nothing that tells me that I need whole new axles. It could cost me ~$60 to just replace the boots and be on my way ... granted that it takes considerable effort to replace the outer boots.

I might consider replacing the whole axle for $40 more per axle ... ~$140 to replace both axles. However, that is the cost for the cheap axles from autozone type stores and I hear a bunch voices saying spend a little more and go with good quality from raxles.com because crappy axles will wear on other parts. But then I will spend ~$240 just because I need new boots.

At one moment, I think that there is 120K miles on them so just replace the whole thing but on the hand I might as well replace my whole car then.

I will likely own the car for another 60K miles. Can anyone give me a convincing argument on what is the best thing to do??

 

Get the Advance Auto or AutoZone axles, 50 to 60 bucks. LT warranty.

 

For 80 bucks extra just replace both axles. I has over 300,000 on my Max and replaced the front axles twice. Torn boots ruined the axles. I paid $60.00 for each axle.

 

It is too bad the search feature results in so many broken links ...

What is Limited Slip Differential (LSD) and how do I know if I have it?

 

Buy them from autozone or advance or pep boys........................

 

I bought one from raxle.com before. It was expensive and the service was not good. Just buy one from your local autozone and it will save you time and shipping fee. It is easier to return the part if anything wrong happens.

 

I just replaced BOTH axles with NEW (not reman) for $100. Took an hour and a half.

 

For where? Id like to see this deal I need a driver side

 

Just get the axles from Advance Auto, $69.98ea. There is nothing wrong with the quality of your local parts house axles; Auto shops put them in everyday. If you can't afford axles, it's OK, just put boots on. If your doing it yourself, the labor is free.

 

Crappy as in from AutoZone?

Sure, some of their parts are substandard, but the axle rebuild quality should be OK. I have never seen one fail AND affect other parts on the vehicle at the same time. Need more proof on that one.

 

Bhunter: Where please New for $100 bucks not reman's... I gotta see

 

I get a discount at Advance. 50 bucks each, new GSP axles, perfect match.

 

oh ok, I thoght you got OEM axels for $100

Wake me up

 

I recently got my right cv axle replaced. I decided to go the raxles route. All in all, it was $200 for the axle and $130 for labour. It was about 2x more expensive than the next cheapest alternative, and I think I got ripped off for labour. My car had 201k km's at the time though, so $330 once every 201k km's for a quality part isn't bad at all.

 

Rockauto.com has NEW Cardone CV assembly for $43.79
Or, they have GSP NEW for $52.79

 

I hop on car-part.com when I need an axle, I usually get them for $35 w/6 month warranty, theres nothing wrong with a used one, especially not the price.

 

If you haven't let your busted boots go too long and your axles are in good shape I'd recommend you find a reputable shop and simply have your axles completely rebuilt. The axles you have are a known quantity. The cheap stuff you buy will very likely not be good. You get what you pay for. That is my experience. Rebuild your good hardware rather than purchase a cheap unknown and you'll likely spend less time in the future on them. Good luck, Rich

 

I got quotes from several repair shops for boot replacement they wanted like $300 I ended up getting axle at carquest for like $80. A Friend changed it for me in about 1/2 hour (drivers side). Axle has lifetime warranty, seemed like way to go.

 

i would say get the cheaper axles and replace them. not junk, but dont spend all the extra cash. replacing the cv boots takes almost as much work as replacing the axles.
also if you feel confident, as long as you have the brake disks off, it might not be a bad idea to replace your struts too.

 

my driver side ripped and the passenger side the boot was missing. all that axle grease in there sucks. driver side is easy. passenger side you have more crap you have to unbolt.

 

I have the GSP's from Bennett Auto no complaints, $68 for NEW axles is a steal

 

that is true.
i remember the passenger side was harder to do because of the tranny.

if you end up doing it yourself and have some more questions, pm me and ill try to help.

 

I ordered Autozone axels and got them today for $125 shipped.

FedEx messed up the boxes big time. I am contacting them about a bent metal shield ... we'll see how thier customer service is ...

In general, they are pretty close to the originals. The new ones are a lot tighter when I try to move the joints in/out/around. I assume that is a good thing?

So, question I have is that my left side halfshaft is a little different than the new one. My old one has this rubber *** between the outer and inner CV joints. What is that thing and why is it missing from my new one??

Also, the input to the tranny for the left side halfshaft is a little different on the new one ... I will have to post a picture once I find out how.

I made sure that I ordered the correct parts (according to the numbers) so I don't know if anything is wrong. Hopefully not.

 

Here are the pictures ...
The *** between the inner and outer CV Joints


The input to the trans are different


I have not tried to install it yet ... Is this replacement OK???