FixMyA4Q

The front outer cv boot on passenger sider of my A4 quattro got torn recently. (About a month, probably less than 1000miles before)

They quote about $330 for boots job and after going through some articles it looks like nice weekend DIY Job:
AudiWorld Tech Articles

I am new to fixing anything in the car but comfortable using tools. Is this something to do for a novice?

I can use a DIY shop where I can use for reasonable hourly charge with lift and tools if it makes sense. Or I can just use jack to hold it up and work on the drive way.

So there seems to be a few options:

1. Replace the CV boot soon and save the good original cv joint.
2. Just leave it until the cv joint goes bad and starts make noise. Than replace the cv joint and boots.
or
3 replace the whole axle to avoid dealing with grease


In case, I replace the boots only, can any one confirm the right part number? Or good brand/store to buy? It is for 2000 A4 Quattro 2.8L Manual transmission.

I cannot figure out what is the difference between these two:
4A0-498-203A
4A0-498-203C

Also there seems to be a few different approach to free the outer cv joint from the wheel.
1. Unscrew the inner cv joint and detach the whole axle.

2. unscrew the tie rode end and remove the outer cv joint only
3. unscrew the upper control arms and remove the outer cv joint only

Some people suggest #1 as pinch bolt for tie rode or control arm are often frozen and hard to work with.

I am missing anything?

Thanks,

Kris Hansen

Sounds like you are on the right track.. looks like the C option is what you want.. most likely. Audi B5 A4 Quattro V6 30v Drivetrain Axles - ECS Tuning

FixMyA4Q

Thanks Kris for the quick reply.

Any significant difference in terms of time and effort between removing the whole axle vs. just outer cv joint?

And should I be concerned about the quality of the none OEM like rein or GKN? Especially the axle bolt included in the kit?

Thanks again,