Cv Joint Repair Or Aftermarket Half Shaft?

[mxl4729]

I have a 1997 Lexus es300

One of my CV joints seems to be leaking grease around the clamp but the boot has not ripped yet.

I think it is early enough that I can change the boot and add more grease

OR

I can replace the entire half shaft with an aftermarket one

The price is about the same for two new boots from Lexus or an a aftermarket half shaft.

Does anyone know the quality of aftermarket half shafts?

They seem so cheep is the only reason I ask.

Has anyone done this job? Do I need any special tools to remove the half shaft?

[homemechanic]

you can replace the boots yourself for like $25-30 each. easy to do. . .i done it on my ford a few years back

. take out the tire

. get a knife and cut old the old one.

. put the new one on and glue the halves together.

. add the grease that comes w/the new one. .

. put the ties and wheel back on. . done

if u r replacing the inner boot, make sure you have proper jack stands

[dcfish]

you can replace the boots yourself for like $25-30 each. easy to do. . .i done it on my ford a few years back

. take out the tire

. get a knife and cut old the old one.

. put the new one on and glue the halves together.

. add the grease that comes w/the new one. .

. put the ties and wheel back on. . done

if u r replacing the inner boot, make sure you have proper jack stands

Are you serious about gluing the boots ? :o I can't beleive that would last

[mxl4729]

you can replace the boots yourself for like $25-30 each. easy to do. . .i done it on my ford a few years back

. take out the tire

. get a knife and cut old the old one.

. put the new one on and glue the halves together.

. add the grease that comes w/the new one. .

. put the ties and wheel back on. . done

if u r replacing the inner boot, make sure you have proper jack stands

Are you serious about gluing the boots ? :o I can't beleive that would last

They no longer make the split boot that you could glue together. the axel must be removed and the CV joint seperated so the boot can be changed.

I gess my new question is how to get the axel out?

I am looking in alldata and it says there is a snapring. were is this snap right and do i need a special tool to get it off