CV Boot Ripped - What Now?

[McDermut]

One phrase that seems to be my vehicle's motto is "If it's not one thing, it's something else" haha.

I was doing an oil and filter change and while under the car I noticed the spattered grease along the inside of the wheel well, and then more accumulated on the metal parts under the CV axle. Hopefully the pictures show it decently, but the front left CV boot has ripped right at the interior clamp. This developed within the past few days so I hope the axle hasn't been contaminated severely.

I'd like to replace it sooner than later but am away from the means to do it myself currently. How much should I expect to pay to have the boot replaced? Should I go ahead and replace the right side boot as well?

IF I were to wait and try and do it myself, how simple is it for someone to do so? I'm already looking at ordering the Dorman brand replacement boots, unless there are better options.

Comments are always welcome!

 

[Tonyrodz]

If it was me I'd just replace it myself. Forget Dorman, they suck. I'd think a reman from anywhere would be maybe $60-$75. Not terribly hard to install. Just make sure you use jack stands.

 

[exp500]

Detroit Axle, Maybe not the best, but the price is right with a real warranty. Used a few and no failures yet.

 

[Bill 1960]

It’s a tedious job IMO doing the boot only. Maybe because I’m the sort that has to disassemble it and wash out every speck of old, potentially contaminated grease.

I’m not a fan of Dorman anything, If I were putting in the time I’d use the best part available. Sorry, I haven’t done one in a while so I don’t have a brand recommendation.

Most people today just take the faster way and replace the whole shaft, including me recently. I split a boot and just replaced the shafts on both sides. I used OEM.

 

[Big Mama]

I may have missed it but I didn’t see how many miles are on your rig. I have a similar issue and plan to replace the shafts on both sides.

 

[Fless]

What am I missing; doesn't the CV axle have to be removed to change the boots? Why not just a new CV axle?

 

[OR VietVet]

Yes, it is not cost effective. Just do the whole axle shaft with a quality axle.

Calls for the same axle on the left or right:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3452367&cc=1355510&jsn=2427

 

[George B]

Yes, it is not cost effective. Just do the whole axle shaft with a quality axle.

Calls for the same axle on the left or right:
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=3452367&cc=1355510&jsn=2427

I installed one if these about a year ago. So far so good.

 

[McDermut]

I may have missed it but I didn’t see how many miles are on your rig. I have a similar issue and plan to replace the shafts on both sides.

It's just shy of 138,000 and as far as I know both CV axles are original to the vehicle.

 

[McDermut]

What am I missing; doesn't the CV axle have to be removed to change the boots? Why not just a new CV axle?

It does, and after reading through the comments and doing some research I'll just pay to replace the CV axle. Since I'm away from home and the necessary tools the cost of labor to just replace the boot instead of the entire thing definitely isn't cost-effective.