Outer CV boot cracked. Leave it, or replace?

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by Repoman

I guess their decison would be either to spend money to redesign the part to make it better for less failures in the future for their treasured customers who pay good money for their products . . . or who gives a crap about the customer and let's keep making the same crappy parts that keep failing prematurely and keep laughing all the way to the bank.

no offense guys, but have you seen an auto mfg use anything other than rubber for a CV joint boot? I haven't.

[Zumie]

It only takes like 45 minutes (with any kind of exp.) to replace the whole axle... Very easy, just remove hub bolt followed by your brake caliper/rotor, unbolt lower strut bolts, pull back the spindle - yank out the axle (mine was nice and came out without needing a punch/pry bar - just some excessive pulling), replace the axle seal - install new axle, check diff. oil, replace all you parts, clean up - done.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by Zumie

It only takes like 45 minutes (with any kind of exp.) to replace the whole axle... Very easy, just remove hub bolt followed by your brake caliper/rotor, unbolt lower strut bolts, pull back the spindle - yank out the axle (mine was nice and came out without needing a punch/pry bar - just some excessive pulling), replace the axle seal - install new axle, check diff. oil, replace all you parts, clean up - done.

that is true, but it only takes another 20min to swap the boot and pack it with grease, so I would recommend just changing the boot itself. It is a sub $20 part. I would rather have the original BMW axle in there assuming the CV joint is still good, which in most cases they are. Mine has 100K miles on it and is in perfectly good shape. Of course, that was before I stripped the threads, but that is another matter entirely

[Zumie]

Originally Posted by c4racer

that is true, but it only takes another 20min to swap the boot and pack it with grease, so I would recommend just changing the boot itself. It is a sub $20 part. I would rather have the original BMW axle in there assuming the CV joint is still good, which in most cases they are. Mine has 100K miles on it and is in perfectly good shape. Of course, that was before I stripped the threads, but that is another matter entirely

True.. I was just saying

[Repoman]

Originally Posted by c4racer

no offense guys, but have you seen an auto mfg use anything other than rubber for a CV joint boot? I haven't.

Correct, that's all I've seen too. However, every other auto mfg I've owned with CV boots/joints didn't go out anywhere near as early as my X or didn't go out at all . . . one of those vehicles was a 1-ton 4x4 Chevy truck with 6" of lift that put the input and output shafts at crazy angles and still no problems. My X's first cv boot failure at 55K, other one I expect any day now. Difference????? Had good luck with aftermarket shaft on first one, will be going aftermarket again on other side.

[TurnAround]

Ok, the new boot is in.
I am very very happy with this new indi shop. They were extremely informative, non-defensive, willing to talk about internet posts, laid back, smart, affordable. And get this.. they inspected the radiator, T-housing, belts, pullys, fan blade, all fluid levels, and the batt... fer free. There is NO WAY my dealership would ever do that (They want the Inspection I / II money).

They disassembled the CV joint and inspected. The said is was in perfect shape. Also inspected all the other CV boots.

Oh, and.. convenient location (the other two indis are in the sticks), newly remodeled building, nice office, efficient smart customer service model, secured parking area, super clean bays, lot full of BMWs, Porsches, Mercs, and Audis.

I really like these guys. Forget the dealership.

[autumnhughes]

Mine also went out, I'm having it replaced by the dealership, they wouldn't even release my vehicle to me it was so bad.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by autumnhughes

Mine also went out, I'm having it replaced by the dealership, they wouldn't even release my vehicle to me it was so bad.

When ever dealerships/or indies say this to me, I call bullshit.

Within reason of course.

[autumnhughes]

I can't really say it was bullshit, cuz what they told me explained everything. Like the spots of fluid in my driveway, thought it was oil, yeah no it wasn't.

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

When ever dealerships/or indies say this to me, I call bullshit.

Within reason of course.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by autumnhughes

Mine also went out, I'm having it replaced by the dealership, they wouldn't even release my vehicle to me it was so bad.

It's not a safety issue. Worse case driving with a torn boot will cause an otherwise good CV joint to fail especially driving in wet weather or otherwise dirty environment. Mine was split for awhile before I realized it since the wife was driving the X daily at the time. And then I still didn't get to it for another month or so and drove it occasionally during that time. And the CV grease was totally clean and intact and the joint itself in perfect condition.

I mean - it is something you should get to as soon as practical, but it is not a do or die stop driving immediatly situation like a check engine light from a mis-fire or something...