Outer CV joints

[White95PGT]

Last time I changed my oil I notice that my outer cv boot was split open, and I'm now (just recently) starting to here that little tick sound when I make a turn.
I plan on fixing this within the next few weeks, my question is, what is all entailed in this: expenses, time, tools??? Also sould I just replace the boot or everything, could I buy used cv joints, I just saw somebody in the forsale section with some.
Any help here, would be greatly appreciated, I don't think I have the money to take it to the shop right now.
Thanks

[Stingray77]

If the joint is making a ticking noise then i'd say replace the whole shaft. No point in replacing the boot if the joint is garbage.

[dr of rx]

the boots are a bitch to change, or so iam told. the boots themselves cost about $9 each.

i took mine to a shop to get them changed. took about 3 hours.

clicking? um...dont know how bad that may be. if the joints have been/will be exposed for weeks you may need to replace them too.

[White95PGT]

Thanks, for the info so far guys. Has anyone changed the joints and/or has any info on this, I have the maintenance/repair book, but some insider info would be great.
thanks again

[Brian Berryhill]

If you hear clicking, the CV joint is in need of replacement. Can't do just the boots.

Buy a new halfshaft from a parts store and replace the whole thing.

Use the search feature and you'll find everything you need.

[jm777]

I just replaced my passenger side axle(cv joint). The boot was ripped but wasnt making any noise yet, I paid 60 plus a $50 core.It wasnt bad to do, the axle nut is tight so you'll have to use a big breaker with a pipe. I found it easier to take only the two strut bolts off to remove the hub from the axle then pry the inner joint from the intermediate shaft. By the way its easier to get to your ps pump when the axle is out so if that needs replacing as mine did might as well do them both. Now the drivers side is bad so that is next week.

[Julian AF Bradbury]

You need to replace the joint, a boot will
not do. It will get worse, and can seize so
don't do high speed or high mileage trips.

You can replace just the outer CV joint if
the inner joint is ok re age/wear. A *NEW*
joint from www.raxles.com is 89$US and that
is brand new joint/boot/grease/bands etc.

However, a new outer-joint + remanufactured
inner joint & shaft from them is ~120$US. A
core charge applies, but it's very cheap.

You need a new outer CV joint because of the
angles it sees, the inner CV joint sees far
less angular movement (no steering and the
suspension movement of 1.5" 14"-away is tiny.


Just fitted a www.raxles.com outer-CV-joint
that is NEW. That way I know the hardening
has not been compromised by remanufacturing.

Fitting is 2hrs, the difficult is usually
getting the splined shaft out of the hub.
It seizes thro corrosion when stupid Mazda
Main Dealer techs can't be bothered to walk
over to a pot of antiseize grease when they
have done your joint/boots in the past :-)
Go buy some anti-seize so it comes out easy
in future which will save you future labour.

Porsche racing guys prefer Raxles, because
their CVs are under enormous angles from the
gearbox pushed-forward-by-engine location,
and the RWD, Rear-Engine, High-Output. A new
CV joint & grease for 55ukp is peanuts.

USA - buy the whole axle from Raxles.
UK - buy just the outer CV joint from Raxles,
because it saves 10lbs & Core charge. Unless
you know the inner joint is damaged also.

Anyone buying just an outer joint, you will
need a new shaft Clip - ~4-5$ from Mazda.

[White95PGT]

WOW, thanks guys. All that information is awesome, and I will look into Raxels. Thanks for the help!!!!