Okay so yesterday I was under my car trying to fix and exhaust leak, That got fixed so I figured while I'm under there I should see if anything else needs fixing or adjustment. I noticed grease in both my front rims (I have steelies on So I can see from the outside), Both my outer CV boots were torn.
Today i went out and got the boots and since I've never done anything like this before I was hoping I could get some insight on what to do. Is there any special way to slide out the CV axles? I know some are held in with clips and what not. And I just want to make sure I have all the right tools before I go ahead and start taking things apart. Thanks in advance.

i am not sure how the ST ones come out but you want the a tool to fasten the metal clamp around the boot. without this tool, my cv boots would still leak (probably because my lowered height puts more stress on)

awww men...this job sucks, only i know how to do it is by takin the axel out, separatin the joint, putting the boot in and securin it. i rather just leave it like that than doin all this. if you need more details let me know

Believe me, you will want to replace the whole axle assembly. Replacing the boot itself will be a headache. Just go out and buy both the assemblies pop your bad ones out and pop the good ones in. Problem solved.



my special axle popper tool

^ That's exactly true, that's why most people just replace the axle since to replace the boot, you have to pull the axle. Depending on how your boot is torn, yes, you can just clamp it, but that also depends on how long the boot's been torn. If you've lost a lot of grease (which it sounds like you have), you're gonna want to pull the axle and load it up with LOTS of bearing grease. At which point again, you might as well return that boot kit and replace the axle.

I clamped my boot when I did the clutch a few weeks ago. Mine had basically just separated at the very end, so it was super easy to just load it up with axle grease and clamp it since it was pulled any way. Had I been able to afford to replace it though, I would have. But the clamp cost a buck, and the special clamp pliers cost $9. Now I own fancy pliers I have no idea what to do with.

If you go with the clamp, you might kind of have to search around for the part, it's not so easily found. You want to ask specifically for a boot clamp, but you'll need to specify if it's the inner or outter. I got mine here. They're local to me, but they have an 800 # and I'm sure they'll ship. It was the only place I was able to find the part, locally at least.

I just replaced my cv boots yesterday. Wasn't hard at all to do. The hardest part was finding a replacement oil seal for the trany (thought i would replace that while i was in there).

Take the extra time and replace the boots. Saves you some cash moneys and you know it will be more legit than just putting a clamp on a broken boot.

what what what would i need to replace the axle?? where can I get the parts and how much would it cost =D... I really want to replace mine because it's making all the noise it can possibly make.... and i think it would be a good learning experience to DIY. anyone with tips hint or part list I would really appriciate it =D

i am interested too, i was told by the dealership that my cv boots were leaking.
how much would it cost to just replace the axle instead of just only the CV boots?


also, would anyone know why my car starts to vibrate from 60-75 mph, but stops vibrating around 80 mph?
(car shakes while accelerating in between 60 up until 75 mph)

yeah both of mine are leaking and have been for a while i need to take care of that while im fixing my front end

Rough step by step to remove and replace axles.
1. Drain the tranny fluid.
2. Loosen lug nuts/remove the center 30mm nut (impact and PB blaster will be needed)
3. Raise whole front end and put on jack stands
4. Remove wheels
5. At the bottom of the strut, there are 2 bolts/nuts that hold the strut and hub together, remove those 2 bolts/nuts
6. Pull the hub assy out/down while pushing the axle out.
7. Use a crowbar/large flat head screwdriver to pop the axle out from the tranny. It will take A LOT of work/force to pop out

Install.
1. Take your new axle and force it in the tranny, either by shoving it in place(how i would) or pressing it in, and useing A LOT of force untill you feel/hear it click in.
2. Attempt to pull the axle back out w/ a reasonable force to make sure it clipped into place
3. Place the axle back in the hub, it will take some working with
4. Replace the hub/strut bolts, make sure they're tight...
5. Install wheels
6. Lower car
7. Torque lug nuts/replace 30mm nut
8. Refill tranny

BE SURE TO PUT GEAR OIL/TRANNY FLUID BACK IN BEFORE STARTING THE CAR.

This may not be the best/easiest way to do it, but its hot i got it done w/ my two Celicas in a few hours.

step 4.5: get 30mm socket, and a friend, and take the axle nut off.

>
thats in step 2

i got both the axles replaced due to all this and it cost me $500 including labor
=p

OH see for me i cant loosen the axle nut before i take the wheel off. ha. so i gotta find a way to hold the rotor steady and pull on the axle nut hard enough to loosen it.

i also have to replace my CV joint, because it is completely jacked up haha

does anyone know how much the two CV's cost together?

thank

-chris

after your core return I believe 170 for the pair.

Thanks man.


-chris

>

put a long pry bar in between two lugs and turn it until it touches the ground until it wont move when you loosen the nut.

yeah thats what i do if theres no one around, or i just have someone get in the car and smash the brakes. works out pretty well.