Q on CV joints/boots, 1992 DX

[karugs]

While waxing the car and checking it today, I just discovered that both CV boots are torn; the right side is already dry while the left has fresh grease all over the wheel well. That leads me to conclude the right one has been torn a long time ago while the left has a fresh cut. Perhaps that's also why it's making a rubbing sound that's directly related to tire rotation speed. The faster I go, the higher the frequency of the "rubbing" sound.

Question is how much to have it fixed? What kind of job is this, do they just replace the CV boots and repack them, or replace both axles? I'm a mid-level DIYer but apartment rules don't allow that kind of work on the garage (manager sucks big time too). That said, we may have to bite the bullet and have a shop do it instead. So any advice on ballpark figures is greatly appreciated, that way I know I'm not being sucked bone dry by an incompetent mechanic.

Also, are there several types of axles? On my car (non-Toyota) there are two types and you need to know which one you got before you even buy the parts.

Another concern is if the right side CV joint has been that way for quite a while now, would there be damage to the internals? Or can I continue to just have it repacked instead? Seems like the rest of the suspension is good so there isn't any other job left to do when dealing with the axleshafts/CV joints.

Thanks

1992 DX,
215,000mi.

[tashirosgt]

I don't know about shop prices. The incompetence you have to worry about is getting grit into the wheel bearing when the CV joint is worked on. How many miles do you have on the these half-axles? As a do-it-yourselfer, I replace the half axle as a unit since it would be darn inconvenient to replace only the outer CV joint. I suspect that labor is the big cost in this job, not the half-axles.

[bob022004]

I'd say go and buy the half-axles also. i got mine for about 70 bones total and they came with lifetime warranty. the boot kits are 15-20 each and no warranty. doing the job isn't real hard. just be sure you get the axles in all the way.

[karugs]

Thanks. Found a good site that sells them for $70 apiece. I hope my trusted mechanic will give us some discount when we have both done. No idea how long these axles have been in the car. We're the 5th owner.

Also I did a search, came up with lots of info but nothing particularly informative for the AE92. I would assume these are pretty much similar to the AE102?

Yes of course we'll get the half-axles, doing the boots does not guarantee anything (only that you'll probably replace the axles once the insides have quit). Thanks again.

[karugs]

We just moved in to another apartment so I called my mechanic and I was quoted $310 for everything ($80 each axle, the rest labor). Good idea? Another mechanic I go to quoted $350, same deal.

Is it worth it for a 1992 DX with 217,000mi? The rest of the car seems OK, though. I can DIY some things on that car, if my mom leaves it at home.

Awaiting your responses. Thanks.

[REN69]

Originally Posted by bob022004

I'd say go and buy the half-axles also. i got mine for about 70 bones total and they came with lifetime warranty. the boot kits are 15-20 each and no warranty. doing the job isn't real hard. just be sure you get the axles in all the way.

That's exactly what my mechanic suggested.

[karugs]

So you mean I DIY it instead? What exactly are the steps if I should attempt this?