Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting CV Boot/Joint Questions

Hello All ... I checked as many other posts regarding CV boots/joints as I could and didn't find the answers to my questions .... thus a few quick and [hopefully] simple questions regarding a CV boot ...

Just rotated my tires and noted the left inner CV boot, but none of the others, is leaking some grease. So far, I have noticed a slight vibration when driving, but no "pops" as folks here have mentioned with a failing joint.

Q's: If the boot is leaking, does it mean the joint is also failing and should be replaced ? Does a failing joint cause the boot to leak or crack ? Is it advisable to replace the joint(s) at this time: car has 95K miles ... or just wait until each one starts to go ??

Also, I'm not able to do this work myself .... what should I expect in $$ for having a Ford/Mercury dealer fix it ?? They are probably my best option here ... but I could check a smaller shop, too. Might save about $20 an hour in labor costs.

Also just did a tune up on my '95 last week ... thanks to the mods forum here for all the step by step instructions. A lot more pep now ... probably should have done it 20K ago .....

Thanks in advance for any help ...

my95contour

If the boot is cracked you just replace it. The joint should be OK unless you've driven it for a LONG time like that. As for cost of repair, you could probably do the boot yourself. If you do need a shaft, go to a local shop. You will save a lot of money.

ShiftyGT40:

Thanks for the reply. I'm going to take my SE out for a quick spin around the church parking lot and see if it "pops" on tight turns [... supposed way to test the joint, itself, if I understand some of the other posts correctly].

I've only noticed this slight vibration for about 400 miles ... so I don't think the boot has been leaking for more than 1-2 months of "light" driving conditions.

And I'm too old for hot-rodding around anymore, so I hope it's not the joint ...

regards,

my95'

my95, some more details for you:

Generally it is the other way around: the boot starts to leak and as the joint loses its lubricating grease, it wears out.

Not necessarily. If it is a slow leak, like a pinhole, there still could be plenty of grease and the joint could still be in good shape.

I don't think you should replace them until necessary. Just keep an eye on the boots like you are doing, and when the boots are being replaced it is easy to inspect the joint itself.

The parts shouldn't cost much. I paid ~$60 for a kit which included the boot and the CV joint. And I'm guessing 1 - 3 hours labor. Good luck!

jeeze, I ripped my outer boots on my joints twice already. I don't know what's up. 2 days ago, I started to change my oil and I look over... and I see grease.. all over the place around the inner joint. There were also metal shavings around it. I took the car in, and they said it would be 500$ because of they gotta take the shaft out or something. I know that's the right price because my friend is the manager of the Service advisors, and he takes care of me. I got an extended warrenty though. I for 41770 miles, and the warrenty covers till 45k.

Thanks for the advice .....

I did some checking around town today ...

Fjord wanted $70 for each boot ... $150 for labor ... ... another $150 for the shaft/joint, if that is replaced. For the entire shaft ... $150+150 ~$300 unless they wanted to charge me another $140 for the 2 boots ... plus the shaft/joint ?? Then it would have been $450 for one side.

A good shop I go to for tires, flushes, struts, bearings, etc. said they'd do the entire shaft [2 boots + remanufactured shaft/joint] for $150 installed [that includes the labor].

Carparts.com had Motorcraft CVboot kits for $37.32 [inner]; $14.56 [outer] ... so it looks like my local shop is closer to reality on pricing ... that doesn't surprise me too much.

The local shop will warranty the work for 12K ... and that should do me for now .... they've been honest in the past.

Thanks again !! After this I'll be keeping an ear to the front wheel bearings ... no play in the hubs so far and no growling/howling, either .... but, I suspect that'll be next on the "to do" list ...

my95contour