Okay so today the dealership tells me that both front cv boots are cracked. He said i have about a month or so to take care of it and that to repair them it was going to be about 175 a piece plus 220 labor. I've heard that it can be done cheaper, anyone have suggestions? I need help bad and I don't have that money......

 

You can get brand new (not remanufactured) axles for about $125 per side. You can install them yourself too. It's not that hard.

www.raxles.com

They rock!

 

Are you sure I can?

 

me and my uncle did it......got them both for $300 with lifetime warranty....and we installed them ourselves...its fairly easy...

 

Well I'm fairly mechanically inclined but I don't know much about the axel/wheel area. Mostly electrical and engines. So can I do this at my house and what do I risk messing up. Where can I get directions?

 

take out the drive shafts and replace the cv boots yourself. pep boys sells the cv boot rubber thing for 15 each i replaced 3 of my 4 its a pain but worth saving hundreds on labor

 

i got my right side changed for $20.

 

You can replace them yourself, it's not as bad as it looks. I just replaced both my drive axles 2 days ago and it only took about 2 hours. If you are coming to the meet today I will tell you about them there.

 

Try taking it to a local shop instead of the dealer. I bet you cut that price in 1/2. The replacement boot is only a few bucks. The rest is labor. The dealer gets like 80/hr for labor and they go by the book. A local shop might do the job pretty quick and only charge you for the time it actually took to replace the boots.

 

Boot replacement outer both sides -$65 to $85.
Boots outer $11.00 each at carquest.
Make sure your joints are OK before replacing the boots.I recommend buying some CV joint grease ($4.95 valvoline )and put it into the boot using a grease gun.It will give you added protection.Do this once in 3 days so that you can keep the dirt out.
My 0.02
Take care ,
Jay

 

Abbreviated instructions are at the bottom of the first page of this thread. If you have the right tools, it's an easy job.

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....highlight=axle