Has anyone replaced the CV joint boots on their GL? Does anyone have experience with this? The boots (covers) on the front axle started to crack about a year ago (approx. 110k). My service advisor pointed this out and we discussed replacing. However she noted that its common on these cars that t they can't get the boot off completely because it gets fused to metal/joint over time and that when this happens they need to replace the entire joints. Estimated cost for boot replacement is about $600. Estimated cost for axles/joint replacement is $2k. At the time she suggested I wait. Took it in again and was reminded that the boots are cracked (GL now has about 140k miles). Was also advised that this is not a simple operation and boot replacement may fail, to figure out what I want to do with car (I want to keep). They would not give me a probability of success estimate on the boot replacement. So seems it seems I have two choices: (1) go for the boot replacement now at $600 because it gives me opportunity to avoid higher cost repairs later (and risk having to go all in on replacing axle at $2k); or (2) let the boots completely fail/leak and probably have to replace axle at $2k. I'm inclined to do the former since there is a chance of success, but wanted to check with the folks on forum. Thoughts? Here's a little more on what is involved:

http://repairpal.com/estimator/merce...placement-cost

 

Having replaced two CV Axles on two different cars myself, I would suggest to buy a replacement part and have an Indy install it with total cost less than $600. An indy has to be extremely incompetant to mess up a CV Axle job when most DIYers can handle it easily.
I am not a fan of just boot replacements as the joint underneath already has 140K on it. The Cv axle is around $50-80 part. I think even a non-euoropean mechanic can handle it easily.

 

Thanks for response TX07! Have you ever heard of the boots sticking to the joints and having to replace the whole thing? And apparently for mercedes joints are not sold separately and you need the whole axle assembly ~ $2k

 

You can buy the axle shaft assembly for $100. Any decent indy can do the job

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CV-DRIVE-AXL...5WFVaf&vxp=mtr

 

No, boots don't stick to joints. If they do, then no need to ever replace them . They can however stick to shaft which I have never seen happening. If It happens, the rubber can be scrapped/sanded off. But the effort is not worth. If it would be me, I would rather change the whole shaft, preferably myself.

Mercedes or most other cars, these joints are not sold separately. Again, not worth the effort to rebuid them either. My last CV axle shaft cost $43 after 20% coupon from advance auto parts

If you are planning to keep it, just buy an aftermarket or rebuilt one from Ebay or any autoparts store. Then have an Independent mechanic install it.
Once I had to have one replaced during a long trip. It was a garage shop in middle of nowhere and guy charged $220 for the whole job.

There is nothing Mercedes-specific knowledge involved in replacing CV axle. Simple nuts and bolts.

 

Having tried to cheap it by replacing just the boots on an old Accord, I'd definitely just replace the whole shaft. The joint under the boot wears, whether or not the boot is compromised, and I'd say it's false economy to just replace the boot. Swap out the whole axle.