CV Axle - Replace or Re-Boot

Does anyone here have experience repacking/booting CV axles? I've replaced them before, but never repaired one. I was thinking that I'd like to give it a shot and save some money.

Any tips on getting it done? What signs should I check for in the joint to decide if there's too much damage? I don't want to waste time with doing the boot if the joint is already damaged.

Thanks,
-Jeremy

CV axles are cheap, just replace it and save yourself the hassle..

I know they're only like $60 - $70 each, but I don't feel like spending $120+ to take care of both. ;) I guess if everyone says it's not worth the hassle, then I will just replace though.

Yeah, and if you get them from AutoZone, they come with a lifetime warrenty... so next time they wear out... just bring them in and get new ones

Really? Even though they are a remanufactured part, and they are expected to wear out, they will just replace them later? If that's the case, then I guess I will go that route!

I would talk to Autozone to find out EXACTLY what that "lifetime" warretny covers... but i believe so.. Whenever i snapped an axle in my honda they just replaced it....

Sounds good. Thanks for the info! While we're on the topic, I have another question. Is it required to drain the transmission fluid for the axle replacement? It seems that the how-to's I've seen for this car list it as being necessary, but when I did axles in my old 92 Corolla I never drained the fluid and it wasn't an issue. Any clarification would be great.

if you dont drain it... some may leak out... not a biggie as long as you top it off when finsihed

That's kinda what I figured. I just wanted to make sure there's no strange thing on these civics where I'm going to have tranny fluid come pouring out on me ;)

I used the term "some" loosely.... it all will depend on how much is in there to begin with

So I guess I should just go ahead and drain/refill for the job then. ;) I guess I will wait and do it when I am going to install the new tranny then, since it won't have any fluid :)

DO what you will... a drain and refill is no big job... and can only hepl the drivetrain in the long run

Well, since I'm not even driving the car right now and I will probably just drive it from my house to the garage to put in the tranny, I figure it's not critical to get the CVs done before then.

Yea, i would replace them.
I have a reciept right in front of me which says "Limited Lifetime Warranty" which i have used for my brake pads which they also warranty for life. When i wear them down, they replace them for free for life.

BTW: the axcel cost me $59.99, and if the boot is ripped, it most likely has been driven with limited grease, so i would replace.

Sounds like a good deal on those warranties. New axles from AutoZone it is! :D

Yeah, I have been through 6 axles between two cars and if ive learned anything, its not to reboot the damn things. The first one I did because I didnt have the money for a new one when my crossmember ripped and the axle pulled apart. A month later the axle seized at 118 and almost threw me off the road into a sign. Stupid part is, even after I replaced that one I destroyed it about 2 mo later when the crossmember ripped again. So I replaced the whole steering/crossmember assembly.

Just replace them... I almost died for a 16 dollar boot.