ok so the car I'll be buying had its inspection today and everything went fine except that he said something about some boot being torn or ripped or something.I thought he said front left inner or somehting, but the message was unclear. Does anyone know what he might have been talking about? And he also said that they had to use pliers to pop the hood, and besides that the car is in good condition. Good News!

 

lol, 9 out of 10 Civics I've sat in had to utilize the pliers technique....stupid little plastic piece.

Anyway, he's probably referring the an Inner CV Boot

 

yes, that is what is sounded like. So, umm, is this a problem? once again I drive cars around, take their pictures, and hang price tags inthem, but I know next to nothing on the workings of cars. I mean, I know basics, I can change my oil, tires, simple things. Thanks for help, and for bearing with me.

ok I've looked up what the CV boots are for, and how to tell if its' too late to replace the boot. There didn't seem to be any noises when I drove it, and the mechanic didn't seem worried about it yet, but I deffinetly want to have it fixed before it's too late. Is there a DIY way to fix it? like regreasing it and then gluing it with appropriate glue/patch kit? thanks

 

I think the boots are fairly cheap, just replace them. Check the DIY section here, I'm not sure whether or not we have one for that

 

you can replace the boot or the whole axle. i replaced my cv axle for a think under 50 bucks and the new axle was brand new.

 

ok cool, so if it's under or around 50 I'll just buy a new axle I suppose, I dont know what the labor cost would be, but at least the axle is only around 50, I thought it would have been in the 100's, dang that makes me more relieved. thanks

 

I just found out that it is the outer cv boot, not inner like I previously said. I dont know if that changes anything or not.

 

It's the same situation, but you have to remove the inner boot to change the outer so now if you just change the boots you need both. At about $12.00 each plus your time to mess with them you're really ahead to trade in the axle instead. Axle replacement is within the DIY realm but it isn't extremely easy, some heavy tools may be needed to deal with rusted parts. You might call a couple of garages for a quote on replacing an axle, parts and labor, to know for sure what it'll cost you.

 

would I be able to buy my own parts (boot) and have them put it on? or do they not do that?

 

If you have to pay labor it's definitely not going to be worth it to replace the boots. Takes maybe an hour to do that because the joints have to be taken apart, cleaned, regreased, and reassembled.

Rebuilt axles are the way to go Has two new boots, grease, and everything, just put it on the car.