lupulin

How hard are these to replace yourself?

I searched and didn't find much info

TerminA8r

If you buy the complete rebuilt axel assemble from raxles.com, they are the best. For $175 you get their high quality axel, return shipping, and free tool rental of the two specialty sockets you'll need to complete the job. You'll need basic shop tools such as a 1/2' breaker bar, 18mm socket and wrench, 16mm socekt and wrench, 1/2 ratchet and a few other basics tools.

Go this route if the c/v joint has more than 100k on it.

Or you can just replace the boot for $15. A little more work and a lot messier.

P.S. Whatever you decide, remove the lower straight control arm, not the uppers to get enough space to wiggle out the shaft from the wheel knuckle.<ul><li><a href="http://www.raxles.com/">raxles.com/</a></li></ul>

TerminA8r

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/16268.phtml">Earlier thread</a></li></ul>

Squeeto

<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/153602.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/153602.phtml</a</li></ul>

diogeniS8

after they rip there is no need ro replace the whole axle. I always think that MY old one is in better condition than a remanufactured one.

Kneale Brownson

I didn't realize they wouldn't appear in the current thread, so I'll add 'em <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/174487.phtml">HERE</a> too.

-OvO-

I cleaned and reused the old joints - one boot was torn and the other was in bad shape - at 90K mis. So far, 30K later, they're still fine.