Hi

I have nothing there is some Grease filled around the CV joint. I think the rubber boots are cracked or broken.
I took it to the mechanic and he said you cannot replace the rubber only for this car. You have to replace the CV Axel itself.

Is that true? Just because of this small problem I need to replace whole CV axel which is much expensive?

Please tell me if there is any other way that I can replace the rubber and stop grease leaking without axel replacing.


My car is Lexus is 250 / 2011

 

Well, yes, there are aftermarket boot replacement kits for this car but the axle still has to be removed and the CV joint cleaned and regreased. By the time you're finished, you might as well just replace the axle with a remanufactured unit.

 

Given the labor involved ... false economy to replace the boots. Replace the complete drive shaft(s) and seals.

 

You can get new aftermarket axels now for about the same price as a rebuilt one. I would just get a new axel and install it. I think I paid under 200 for a new aftermarket axel (I'm in Canada)

 

Hello Can1,

When did you replace your axles?
Where did you get them from?
How many miles on them since the replacement?

Sorry for all of these questions. I am in the same boat at the moment and I have heard horror stories of aftermarket axles failing after just few hundred miles.

Cheers!

 

Hey There,
I replaced them back in the summer, I filmed it all, but have not edited the footage together to produce the finished video yet. I can't wait to post that vid. They are a bit of a bear to replace as that rear suspension requires some muscle to get back together. It's a job that can be done in your garage.

I bought the part from a local parts store, and I can't remember which brand the axel was. I checked my raw footage just now and unfortunately I did not get a shot of the box it came in. I remember pricing them out and a rebuilt was close to the cost of new so I went new. I also went to talk to a rebuilder who told me a lot of parts are reused, and some of the rebuilt kits (with the new bearings) are suspect quality, so I went with the new. Now I don't drive the car much, but it was about 6 months ago and a few thousand kms and it's still fine. I still have the old one sitting on the floor. I was going to make a video of taking it apart. The ones from Lexus cost so much that I just went new aftermarket and it worked out for me.

I was browsing on Amazon and found them even cheaper https://amzn.to/3G1uNW9 but you never know with Amazon, and I think returning it could be a pain so I bought from the parts store so I could take it back if there was a problem.

For the cost of the aftermarket I think its worth the risk, especially if you do the job yourself as there is no labour to pay.

 

Thanks Can1.

Appreciate the feedback. I am about two to three weeks away from attempting to do this. Actually found a shop that used to rebuild axles for a local Lexus dealer close to my work. They said dealer is no longer sending axels for rebuilding. Seems to be a reputable shop from the review's I read. Going to give them a try. I will give them a try.

Cheers.

 

Sounds good, I would be curious what the labour cost is just to replace the axel.

 

Lexus dealer quoted me $4000 for parts & labor for new left and right rear axle installation.

 

Just keep in mind when you do this there is the book way, the hard way, and an easy way. I'd go with the last one that does NOT involve taking the suspension apart on both sides.

This option is simply dropping the rear diff which is 9 bolts and 2 braces.

If you do choose the complete suspension tear down method, be sure to get the car sitting on its own weight before tightening pinch bolts that secure vulcanized rubber pivots or they will be destroyed.