cv boot torn, but how to tell if i need new cv joints or axle?

[dkl]

URGGGGG! I just noticed a torn boot a few days ago with grease flung all over the inner wheel. I guessed I can't complain much with 86k miles on the original boot

[omodos]

mine went at 49.500 miles, checked the other side and seems ok visually, what i will do is see if it 'feels' right, or whether it is brittle etc, did some research on how to prolong rubber life, and from what i gather leave them alone inspect em for being clean and dont use wd40 or silicone spray on em, any got any other tips please let me know....took 2.5 hours to replace my outer boot with mechanic and his assistant and me lurking over their shoulders....

[Hal72]

I will also try to replace my front axle after a lot of reading and good advice her. I just wonder where to buy the oem parts. I found these prices:

esctuning.com, Remanufactured Front- Left, 31607565313KT $600.63
oembimmerspart.com, Front left axle. GKN Loebro OEM. 31607565313X5 $269.95
bavauto.com, Drive Axle Shaft - Left. 31 60 7 565 313 $ 174.95

The parts form bavarian auto seems almost to good to be true and real oem. I have good experience with esc and oembimmers but do not know if bavarian is the best here. any advice!?

[omodos]

Hal72 I only replaced the boot luckily the axle was ok, but from what i have read easier to replace the whole axle.....not sure about brand of axel bu tthe boot we used on the cv joint outer was febi-bilstein, not sure they do the axle though?

[omodos]

Originally Posted by dkl

URGGGGG! I just noticed a torn boot a few days ago with grease flung all over the inner wheel. I guessed I can't complain much with 86k miles on the original boot

got your hand dirty and done this yet?

[upallnight]

Originally Posted by omodos

mine went at 49.500 miles, checked the other side and seems ok visually, what i will do is see if it 'feels' right, or whether it is brittle etc, did some research on how to prolong rubber life, and from what i gather leave them alone inspect em for being clean and dont use wd40 or silicone spray on em, any got any other tips please let me know....took 2.5 hours to replace my outer boot with mechanic and his assistant and me lurking over their shoulders....

My mechanic charge an extra 10% for lurking.

Originally Posted by Hal72

I will also try to replace my front axle after a lot of reading and good advice her. I just wonder where to buy the oem parts. I found these prices:

esctuning.com, Remanufactured Front- Left, 31607565313KT $600.63
oembimmerspart.com, Front left axle. GKN Loebro OEM. 31607565313X5 $269.95
bavauto.com, Drive Axle Shaft - Left. 31 60 7 565 313 $ 174.95

The parts form bavarian auto seems almost to good to be true and real oem. I have good experience with esc and oembimmers but do not know if bavarian is the best here. any advice!?

You can go Real Cheap with Rockauto. Probably made in China parts but which car manufacturer other then the Koreans don't use made in China parts?

[omodos]

nope didn't get charged extra for hanging around mechanics, in fact as i mentioned getting the end of axle shaft back into the hub used a piece of timber placed over the hub and start pounding in the wood till you see just enough thread on the axle end to be able to get the collar nut on..

One outer boot parts ad labour cost me about $110