Broken axle?

Have 98 Civic EX coupe with only 40,000 miles on it. While having the
oil changed yesterday, the mechanic showed me where a rubber seal on the
axle next to the right front tire was all oily. This is as best as I can
describe it.
He said the right front axle was broken and needs to be replaced. Does
this sound right? The car seems to drive ok, and having a broken axle
doesn't make sense to me. They want $216 to repair it. What gives?

 

The rubber boot is a flexible seal for the constant velocity (CV)
joint that transmits power to the wheel. If it is oily, it is
likely that the boot is torn, allowing dirt into the CV joint.
If the CV joint hasn't failed, replacing the boot is essential
or it soon will fail from dirt getting in. If dirt has gotten
in, the CV joint is doomed. It will get noisy before it fails
completely, but if it fails, the car will need to be towed.

The labor to replace the rubber boot is only a little less than
the labor to replace the boot and CV joint. You can always call
around for prices to do either repair.
Dan

(This account is not used for email.)

 

i agree, the CV joint should be replaced. It's not really worth the
money to repack it, because even if it's not apparent, dirt has likely
made it inside the joint. On my old 94 Accord EXR I replaced the entire
CV arm including labour for CAD$160 (CAD$1 = US74c) at my mechanic.
Honda will likely charge twice that, so shop around.

It's not a difficult repair, but if not done properly you'll need an
alignment afterwards.

Cosmin

 

++++++++++++++++++

To clarify, you'll be replacing the whole drive shaft, which has a CV
joint and boot at each end. You need to find a mechanic who will procure
a rebuilt one for you, then install it for you.

A Honda dealer will cost WAY too much for this simple exchange. The boot
may have gotten torn from snow / ice, or because the mechanic was too
agressive 'checking' it.

Anybody else care to comment on this probability ? ?

'Curly'

 

Thanks for the info. in your responces. I think you made it clearer to
me than the mechanic. Just wondered though..........why did the
mechanic call it a broken axel, and isn't this unusual to happen at
40,000 mies?

 

It's not normal. The boots on my Accord broke after about 110k miles.
But if you hit something, that might have caused it to tear.

Cosmin

 

Have it analyzed by another reputable mechanic. Ever since front wheel drive
it has been common practice for them to squirt oil on the boot or even slice
it to get extra service. ALWAYS inspect the boots before taking in for
service for oil. It's easy to do...

 

This mechanicis ok.......I'm sure he didn't do anything like squirt oil
in the area. Besides I was right next to the car when it went up on the
lift and he spotted the area and showed it to me.

 

I had Civics that didn't get 35k before the CV joints went. But the rubber
boot is exposed and you could have one tear or damaged anytime.

G-Man