How ironic. Just last week I was studying the Inspection II list to see what I could do myself, and I determined that the top of the list item to inspect.. and didn't have to pay someone to inspect.. are the 4 inboard and 4 outboard CV boots.

Crap. They all look good (dry), except for the front outer CV boot. Its got grease all over three of the folds. That indicates a ruptured rubber boot.

I've spent the last hour reading up on the CV boot replacement article and getting advice from my Father in law (He was a VW lead mechanic, then service manager for 25 years).

The article indicates that I should have the boot replaced right away and the CV joint itself will probably be fine. My FIL's advice, interestingly, was to leave it alone and allow the joint to fail. He said it might be fine for years before failing. I thought he was smokin' somthin' until I read through all the pics in the article. Now I get it; all of the hub, brakes, steering, and suspension parts have to be removed in order to get to the boot. This is going to cost a shit load in labor alone.

Joe's point was, "Yeah, the CV joint is expensive, but the boot replacement procedure will be even more expensive in labor. You might replace the boot, and then have the CV joint itself fail in a year or two.. and have to pay for the entire service effort all over again. If you're going to have someone touch it, replace the joint, the outer boot, and the inner boot for good measure."

I'll call to get service and parts prices on Monday from my dealership plus one indi.

Any advice here guys? Leave it and wait for the failure, then replace it all. Replace the boot now. Replace it all now.

Wait.. there's another wrinkle; I'm one of the guys having brake shudder problems braking at >50mph and per this board, the lead culprit is the lower front stabilizer arms. These have to come off in the CV boot repair. Though.. I'm not convinced yet that these are the problem.

Thanks.