so i brought the car into the mechanic to change the pads yesterday and he said that my front driver side axle was messed up. he said that it would be about $300 dollars for the part. all that it looked like it was, was the boot near the wheel was ripped. is he correct that i should get it fixed or is he trying to rip me off? ill get pics tomorrow of it.

 

Do you mean the CV boot this... http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel.html Its certainly not a $300 job actually its more like DIY.

 

yes its that part thats ripped? should i go to a junkyard and pic one up?

 

you can get a brand new axel for $100, I just bought two. also as long as its not making any noise, its not broken yet. inside the boot is grease that protects the constant velocity(CV) joint. if any contaminats have gotten in the boot, it'll be just a matter of time before it will start making noise. then you can replace it.

 

ok guess ill wait til i start hearing something...thanks

 

don't get me wrong, It will throw greas everywere and there are kits to rplace the boot and maybe salvage the axle longer, but I've never used those. your local auto parts store has that kinda stuff. its a temperary patch but it may afford you another couple months.

 

Dont worry about it until it starts making noise.. i have been driving for 2 years and 20k+miles on torn cv boots on my other car with no problems/noises/driveability problems... Its less work to replace the whole half shaft/cv joint as one piece than to actually take the joint out and stuff... If money is tight, skip it if you dont hear clicking during turns. Of course once it starts to make noise youll know that the joint is starting to fail and to get it fixed ASAP or else bad things can happen.. CV joints will give you fair warning before they completely fail and cause you to lose control of your car and run into incocent passers by. Just dont wait too long to get it fixed once you start hearing clicking while turning.

 

Look for a DIY, I will be making one when I go back home an do both of mine. It kinda a PITA but its gotta get done.

 

+ youll save a $hit load over what youd pay someone else to do it..

 

fit a new C/V boot and repack it with lithium grease save even more, don't just wait for the inevitable get it sorted now