I went to replace my front brake pads today and noticed there was grease all over the passenger side caliper and behind the rotor. Is this the CV joint/axle? What should I do?

 

Look to see if your CV boot it ripped. Replace if required.

 

^This. I had the same thing happen when my CV boot ripped over the summer. It also slung grease all over the inside of the wheel. Good luck getting it all off lol

 

Truth be told, replacing the whole half shaft is pretty easy, and they cost like 70 bucks... More than just a boot, but worth saving the hassle. But be careful. One side is about an inch shorter than the other.

 

This is why I usually don't recommend people buy the whole half shaft, and just go with new joints instead. On top of the side-to-side difference, Audi used different length shafts from year to year because they also used different CV joints between years. I've heard plenty of horror stories about people buying the wrong length shafts and not being able to get the right one. The shaft is just a shaft, not gonna hurt anything to re-use the OEM one that you already know is the right length.

 

I've heard the horror stories, but I went to O'Riley's and they had one of each for my 99.5 and they fit in wonderfully. I was nervous at first too. I even explained to the guy that I didn't want to go that way because of the problems others have had. But, he convinced me, and I'm happy I did it... Plus, they came with a lifetime warranty, so if the boot ever rips again, I can get a new one.

Maybe I just got lucky...

 

Thats a good point about the warranty, I hadn't thought of that.

 

that's what sold me...

 

I think Im just going to be replacing the outer cv boot on the passenger side. Is this the correct part number for that piece? 4A0498203C

 

O'Rileys lifetime warranty is so boss. <3