94 accord axel question

my friend took in his 94 accord in to get the 2 front tires balanced, and as soon as we get home they call and say that the front axel is ripped (?) and that thier is grease or something all over it and its all messed up and its gonna cost him 160 to get fixed.

i dont; know nohting about accords so does what he say sound right? what is the fornt axels? (i know its not the axels/driveshaft that goes between the engine and tranny)