I'm glad my original post helped you out and looks like you got a great deal from your indy. I paid about $700 for the entire half-shaft axel to be replaced after I allowed the CV joint to shred itself until I no longer could drive it. Glad you caught yours before it started making the dreaded "scrape-scrape-scrape" or "click-click-click" noise!!! :thumbup:

Check out my thread below on this very topic. I received alot of criticism over this research on this subject as you can see in this related thread. Bottomline, if the joint is making the "click-click-click" noise, you're done - the joint needs to be replaced. If no noise, then just the boot can be replaced. I had the entire half-shaft replaced after about 2K miles for about $700 at an indy. The $tealer wanted over $1,300! Good luck and let us know how things work out for you! :thumbup:

http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...-see-pics.html

What speed will you hear click-click-click if your axle is toast? Mine blew super recently and I haven't been driving much at all so I think i can just replace the stupid boot.

Usually about 25-30mph while taking a turn on the side the boot is torn. My left boot was torn, so anytime I took a left turn under acceleration, I heard the clicking at about 25mph or so. If you don't hear the click, then most likely, just a boot replacement will do. Keep us all posted!

I'm afraid to drive the car with the boot torn on the bottom and the grease gone. I hear of people driving for a long time with torn boots tho, how safe is it to take it on a test drive?

I already got a replacement boot.

Please help!

Mine was torn too. But I can feel the vibration on the steering wheel when making the leftest turn, like U-turn. However, did not hear noises or feel the vibration in normal driving. Is my CV still good?

leftest? You mean when the steering wheel is turned all the way left? i think the click is the half axle not the cv. Maybe you have multiple issues?

It shouldn't be a problem to take it a couple of miles to see if you have the clicking noise. Just remember, without grease in the boot, the friction will take over eventually and destroy the joint. About 2K miles in my experience! :thumbup:

That's excellent information. I should have checked earlier but no harm in doing it now. Thanks again!

Just a friendly reminder folks - let's renew this thread - wintertime is brutal on CV Joint boots. Look under your car today to see if your CV joints are torn before it's too late. If you have grease spilled on the wheel, and no "click-click-click", then call your trustworthy independent shop today before you need a new joint. Pay particular attention to the driver's side outer joint - this one is most likely the first to go! Happy New Year everyone and hope this helps!!! :thumbup: