Re-boot or replace?

[Ricky Bobby]

If the joint has already popped and spewed grease everywhere, you can buy a new outer joint from the dealer for about $160, and re-boot as well. Once the joint is exposed to the elements it is compromised in my opinion.

I changed both my outer boots last year BEFORE they split completely, they had some small cracks in the folds, disassembled and cleaned out the outer joints completely and packed with fresh grease, boots and clamps (GKN Loebro, our OE manufacturer). Been running great since and I expect many more trouble free years out of them, as long as you check the boots periodically for cracks and replace BEFORE they spew grease everywhere.


Otherwise, my method above would work with getting a new outer joint and boot from BMW and rebuilding your stock axle. However, at the price for the outer joint from the dealer and the boot kit, you're almost better off using a QUALITY, OEM axle and do full replacement.

You can get GKN Loebro axles for about $250, I do not endorse using the China made $60 "brand new" aftermarket axles as I think their quality is hit or miss.


For what its worth, GKN Loebro is the OE manufacturer for our axles and CV boots, I bought the GKN Loebro brand boot kits for $12.50 apiece from Pelican Parts, the dealer wants $40 per boot kit, the same kit, in a BMW box.