I was informed by Lexus I should look into replacing my front left CV joint boot. Can anyone please help me with if there is any other routine maintenance I should have done while I look to get that replaced? I was quoted $600 to replace it but I think I should probably go to a local mechanic for a quote too.

I saw I can buy both front & rear kits for around $100. That seems pretty reasonable, does anyone know what it should be labor wise for all of them to get replaced?

 

I saw somewhere boot kits that you can change without removing the axle,it has a cut in it,after installing over the axle you apply glue to seal it

 

I actually did this on a 1984 Buick century. It worked. They have been around for a long time.

 

What's the risk I face if I don't replace is immediately? The car drives great. However, I don't want to be driving one day and my wheel falls off!

 

You lose your grease and the CV joint can get contaminated with dirt. Then the axle fails. In the past I have just replaced it with a rebuilt half shaft. This was not on a Lexus so I can't speak to the specifics.

 

The grease is flung out by rotation. That makes the joint loose lube and introduction of dirt and moisture which ruins the joint. If the rip is there for a long tome (I can't quantify as it could be garage kept), then i would suggest replace instead of repair.

Salim

 

If it goes bad, it does it slowly, wheels will not fall off. You will start to feel a shudder under acceleration eventually. It will take 1000s and 1000s of miles to fail, and will do so gradually I think (it does on my older Japanese cars at least), so no big rush...

 

You can simply use funnel instead of there fancy tool. Boot needs to be reversed before pulling over funnel.