Replacing axles? bad boots_

[fanthefire]

I have an 88 dodge dynasty was told that the boots on it were torn on one side and gone on the other. Is this a a job I can do myself, I am not an automotive mechanic but am mechanically inclined, but cannot afford right now all the repairs. Any help on what to do how to do it would be greatly appreciated. I was told the front axles should be replaced.
also how do I know if it has abs brakes for ordering the axles?

[quaddriver]

Originally Posted by fanthefire

I have an 88 dodge dynasty was told that the boots on it were torn on one side and gone on the other. Is this a a job I can do myself, I am not an automotive mechanic but am mechanically inclined, but cannot afford right now all the repairs. Any help on what to do how to do it would be greatly appreciated. I was told the front axles should be replaced.
also how do I know if it has abs brakes for ordering the axles?

unless you caught the boot the day it was torn, crap has likely entered the cv joint(s) and at the very least they need rebuilt. rebuilding a cv joint is actually not that hard - if you are mechanically inclined and have a few tools. however, why do that when parts stores sell the whole shebang rebuilt for a decent price...so we are now at replacing the axles.

to do this, at the very least the tie rod end, the hub and perhaps a ball joint or two need removed (depending on architecture) to remove the axle, which removes fairly easily. to ditch all these parts requires a little bit of mechanical knowhow, and a few tools that places will rent for free.

as for abs - they must put the reluctor ring on the axle end or use a different end to clear if it makes a diff - how to tell if you have it, well, some sort of ABS light should light up when you go for engine start, and failing that, look for the EHCU under the hood near the master cylinder - it will have wires and whole bunches of brake lines coming out of it.