hello i have to replace the rear left CV joint in my 98 audi a4 quattro and just have been having some confusion with which part I need to order I was ordering the new cv from partsgeek.com but I have the option of either getting an "axle assembly" or a "cv joint kit" so I am just wondering which one I should order? what is the difference? to me it looks like the axle assembly already has the cv joint attached to it but its also around $50 compared to the cv joint kits $60-$150 also when looking throu the axle assemblies for sale they have front left and front right assemblies but only 1 rear does that just mean its compatible for both sides? thank you!

 

The descriptions tell you what you are getting - the rebuild kit buys you a new joint and grease that you put onto your existing axle in place of the bad one. The axle is the whole thing - pull off the old one and put in the new.

For the front, there's a length difference that necessitates side-specific parts but on the back they're the same, side to side.