Driveshaft questions

[Kiz_EG6]

Opinions is what breeds INCORRECT information. If someone views "your opinion" and takes it as "right" - they tell someone else the same info or worse yet do the wrong thing. You get neg rep for giving out wrong info plain and simple.

CV joint boots NEED to be replaced as soon as you can.
You CAN drive around abit with them torn (say enough until you can afford time to get them fixed etc) but you should never just leave them exposed as they will deteriorate quickly.

BTW shebangs , change the rack boots too as they serve the same purpose ( to keep lube in and dirt out)

Sorry, i did not realise that all you wanted on this site was textbook answers which you could get by ringing any mechanic in the country!!

The reason that someone asks a question is to get a variety of opinions on it, and as i said, i have driven a car for an extended amount of time, with cracked boots and no problem with the cv joints arose!

[Drew]

i cannot believe i was negative repped for it!

Thanks for the reminder

[Jon_51]

i have driven a car for an extended amount of time, with cracked boots and no problem with the cv joints arose!

Taking your experience as an example of 'best case scenario' what do you think the 'worst case scenario' would be if a dramatic failure did occur to a neglected CV joint?

[Kiz_EG6]

Taking your experience as an example of 'best case scenario' what do you think the 'worst case scenario' would be if a dramatic failure did occur to a neglected CV joint?

Sorry, but i am not really prepared to comment on that, due to the FEAR of being negative repped ridiculous amounts for an honest, yet seemingly invalid response!

[JHMDA9]

To reiterate what others have said, replace the boots, unless you REALLY want to fork out money for the CV joints in a little while. I don't think there is any scientific data to show the "average" life of a CV joint with a cracked boot, so you can only guess at how long it will last.

The whole idea of having an intact boot is to ensure the grease is kept where it needs to be, and not splattered inside your guards and on your wheels. If CV joints could last an extended period without a boot and grease, then I'm sure manufacturers would see the light and save money on parts. This isn't the case so you have to wonder WHY they're there in the first place. Pretty obvious.

[shebangs]

Taking your experience as an example of 'best case scenario' what do you think the 'worst case scenario' would be if a dramatic failure did occur to a neglected CV joint?

You'd have to replace driveshaft.

Acccording to my local, $120 per side inner/outter CV. So x2. Or, $400 for both driveshafts. He told me to confirm 100% that it's not making any noise, otherwise it's worth the extra few dollars to do the entire driveshaft.

I just bought a house, so I've put back the CV Boots, again. I'll do them next month. I kind of agree with Kiz_EG6, they are important, yes, but definately not something you should take your car off the road for. Unless someone wants to prove me wrong.

[bennjamin]

Unless someone wants to prove me wrong.

Its like running your PS rack , or gearbox or engine with little or no fluid. It will prematurely wear.