I appologize for not being specific..I get carried away.. I did the left joint and boots, it was the left front that was the problem, but I had them do the right front boot as well.. since neither had been done up to that point. so all in all, both boots and left joint... and It has been going strong ever since... like 6 months or so..... Now I am similar to you in that I like to have some knowledge prior to going to the shop.... I still have a lot to learn and that usually comes with a few smart a$$ coments from some other folks and trial and error on my part, but I try to research on my own, then ask, and that so far has worked! I feel better when I go to the dealer and have a decent understanding of whats going on... good luck and I hope I have helped you in some way or another!! Prost!!