CV boots

I've just noticed that both the CV boots on my Accord are torn and I am
going to replace them soon. However, I am also hearing a knocking sound when
turning sometimes. Could this just be caused by the torn boots or is there a
good chance the CV joints are done as well. There was still lots of grease
where the boot was so I'm hoping it was protecting it. Any ideas or opinions
would be appreciated and how do I tell if the CV joints are done? Thanks.

 

imho, theyre toast. of course i dont really know, but the knocking is a
clue.

replace both axles, unless you enjoy the punishment of repacking cv joints
and you have done that before.

 

Scott,

I just finished replacing mine yesterday-- both sides along with the
intermediate shaft. Your outboard cv joints are definitely compromised and
most likely bad. The repair is pretty easy if you are inclined to do your
own work. You could try to repack and reboot the joints, but that might all
be for nothing. You did not specify your model year, but if you have a lot
of miles on those axles, just go on and replace them.

The best place to get these axles is not the Honda dealer. Raxles.com is
where I got mine -- they were about $120 per side, and they are new axles--
not rebuilt of remanufactured.

 

Yeah my 94 Accord has 212000kms and I'm pretty sure they may be the
originals. Thanks for the replies and advice.

 

Replace both sides. Get some that have a lifetime warranty. Had mine done
at AAMCO, and the shafts were $120 each and labor to install.

G-Man

 

you can get remanufactured axles from NAPA for about $70 each, take them the
old noes when you pick them up though, the core charge is more than the
parts.

 

Is that in Canadian or U.S Dollars?

 

U.S. dollars.

 

Don't forget to check the engine mounts. Bad engine mounts can cause
excessive engine movment which can cause joint/boot failure. Just a thought.

 

That's an interesting thought. However, the boot on the outer joint is
likely not affected by engine movement as it's the inner end which is
designed to compensate for any changes in the length of the axle as the
suspension travels up and down. The outer boots have a much higher failure
rate than the inner boots due to the extra stress from turning the wheels
during normal steering.