Driver's side inner CV boot split
 

Hey all, I just put my car up on a lift to inspect the front lower ball joints a couple of weeks ago (found them bad as I suspected). No evidence at the time (or I wasn't paying attention or am blind) but when I put the car back up yesterday to replace the joints I found evidence of a split driver's side CV boot (inner). Now I'm pretty sure this is very fresh because the grease that slung out was clean (not a lot of miles on it to build up road dirt) and I didn't notice it a couple of weeks ago. It looks like a new boot can be had for something like $70 but to replace it you have to remove the whole axle, and a new remanufactured axle can be had on eBay from a reputable seller for $145 shipped with no core charge. It seems axles are pretty hard to get otherwise. Might as well do that, right? I've never changed boots before, always changed axles when I've done this job on previous cars. Any thoughts?


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...cb684bfa46.jpg

Check the pictorial thread if you want to replace boots.
Rebuild or Chinese axles do have very good prices, but even on W210 I have not hear from anybody who would make more than 20k miles on one.

Thanks, I found the thread you were referencing.
I went ahead and just ordered a new axle, I don't think the ones on my car are the original OEM so I'm not too worried about taking the time to replace the boot. In the meantime I put some Shoe Goo on the split, I don't plan on driving it more than a few hundred miles before I pull that axle off.
Not too worried about the replacement axle, for $145 and a couple of hours labor I'll be happy.

How about making this a blog?
Take a picture of new axle label and post mileage on the car when you install it.
Hopefully you will be coming here in couple of years with updates?