Axle shaft replacement - one side or both?

[Bottomfeeder]

Hi everyone -

On a recent roadtrip (about 2600 miles round trip) in my 2005 E53 3.0, I was parked with my wheels angled and just happened to notice a big gash in my left CV boot, along with a fair amount of grease on the inside of the wheel. I hadn't been hearing any noise or clicking, but don't really have any way of knowing how long that rip had been there so decided to replace it as a matter of course.

Made it back home without any problems and I ordered the axle shaft for that side. Here's my question: a comment from a forum member on another thread got me thinking ... is there any reason to replace BOTH sides at the same time on these cars?

The car has 62K on the clock, always garaged. Boot on the other side is in fine shape - no signs of cracking and after this experience I will definitely be paying closer attention at oil changes.

Any advice or experiences welcome. I'm a relatively new owner of these old E53s, but in general I think of CV joints as lasting pretty much forever unless that boot goes. But I know sometimes things are a bit different for these cars. :-)

Best regards,
Chris

[Effduration]

If the car is in Texas, hopefully you won't have any drama removing the Axle.
In the rust belt it can be a real bear.

I would not replace the other axle unless boot was torn or axle was clicking.

[nick325xit 5spd]

The LF axle is the one that fails all the time. Reboot or just buy a GKN from FCP.

[EODguy]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

The LF axle is the one that fails all the time. Reboot or just buy a GKN from FCP.

Funny you should say that....

After 1 week from replacing the LF speed sensor my LF boot has developed a hole. I swear I didn't do anything that could cause it other than to call the White Witch names, I'm going to chalk it up to revenge from the Witch.

Besides it's been almost a year since front end joints were replaced (best average yet!!)

Yes the roads here suck that bad.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[Effduration]

I have had very good luck with CVJ axles in Denver... no affiliation.

A lifetime warranty from FCP is interesting.

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by Effduration

If the car is in Texas, hopefully you won't have any drama removing the Axle.
In the rust belt it can be a real bear.

I would not replace the other axle unless boot was torn or axle was clicking.

I'll bet! Luckily this one popped right out. This car hasn't been exposed to the elements much, luckily. We moved to Texas after years up in New England. I can definitely appreciate the difference!

Best regards,
Chris

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by nick325xit 5spd

The LF axle is the one that fails all the time. Reboot or just buy a GKN from FCP.

That's exactly what I went with - the GKN from FCP.

Would have loved to have gotten by with just a new boot, but we rely on the car quite a bit these days and I didn't feel comfortable not knowing how long the rip had been there and how much road crap has gotten into the joint, etc.

Thanks and regards,
Chris

[jsoto]

I've had my fair share of boots go......
I think the 1st time I did a reboot as I wanted OE. Then when it happened again, it was far too along but I decided to replace the whole thing with GKN...

As of -recent, I just replaced a GKN in March, and the same one was also replaced 2 years or so earlier - GKN as well. Thank goodness for FCP except their warranty has changed a *bit* on how it works

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by jsoto

I've had my fair share of boots go......
I think the 1st time I did a reboot as I wanted OE. Then when it happened again, it was far too along but I decided to replace the whole thing with GKN...

As of -recent, I just replaced a GKN in March, and the same one was also replaced 2 years or so earlier - GKN as well. Thank goodness for FCP except their warranty has changed a *bit* on how it works

I would have certainly preferred OEM and initially I'd thought I'd only have to replace the CV joint, but that doesn't seem to be the way it works these days, at least not for these cars.

I'm considering sending the OEM axle off to CVJ in Denver on the recommendation of @effduration ... wouldn't mind having an OEM spare at the ready the next time this comes around. I've got two of these beasts and plan to keep them as long as I can continue to afford the maintenance. And, realistically speaking, as long as I'm physically able to do most of the maintenance myself. I'm not so young these days.

Cheers,

Chris

[Bottomfeeder]

Originally Posted by EODguy

Funny you should say that....

Besides it's been almost a year since front end joints were replaced (best average yet!!)

Yes the roads here suck that bad.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Sheesh ... and I thought Texas roads were bad. Long live the White Witch!

Best regards,

Chris