> It's not dificult to replace the boots just messy. > YOU will need new bands for the inboard boot as well as the outer boot [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > boot clamps I would also order new axel retainer > clips--- order at least a week ahead of time from your dealer While that all sounds relatively simple, it doesn't address the contamination of the outer joint. Once a boot has torn or split, water, dirt and other contaminants get into the joint and will eventually destroy it, if they haven't already. Additionally, sliding the new boot along the halfshaft is a guaranteed way to drag dirt and rust into the joint. Also, by pulling the boot back on the inner joint, you're risking contaminating it, too, which is a strong possibility if you're working under the car. If you're going to do the job right, it requires pulling the halfshaft off the car, completely the entire assembly of dirt and rust, cleaning both joints of all grease (and any contaminants that may be in it), installing the new boot(s), greasing the joints, then sealing them.
In other words, it's much faster and a LOT less hassle to simply pop in a new halfshaft after pulling the old one out. More importantly, you KNOW that the joints are free of contamination and should last for tens of thousands of miles, at least.
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