I purchased a used 96 civic ex with 106,000 miles last week. I noticed the front left cv joint leaks. Any recommendations on what I should do. Do I have to replace the whole joint?

 

Spin the wheel in neutral while the car is up in the air and check for tears. If torn, you can try to replace just the boot, but it is easier to just swap the axle IMO since the one that would need to be re-done would have to come out anyways.

If there is no visible tear, I would clean up the fluid and continue to watch it. I have seen some axles packed with too much grease and the excess starts slinging out when moving.

Does the car click or make any sort of drive train noise when turning or accelerating from a stop?

 

No it doesn't make any clicking noise, none that I have noticed anyway. I didn't see any tears either. I will clean it completely and continue to watch it

 

If its not making noise when turning just watch it.