This is a follow up to the cracked CV boot I posted about the other day:

Basically everyone I've talked to has said that it's probably just best to replace the whole half-shaft, rather than just the boot, since the half-shaft has to come "out" anyway to replace the boot, and since half-shafts aren't all that expensive, and it will ensure that the joints are good to go.

Anyway I've got a friend, who is a mechanic and who has replaced several half-shafts on other cars who said he'd help me switch it out. Says it's an easy process, looked up the instructions for replacing it on the Audi and said it shouldn't be a huge issue...

But... in speaking to another guy he said he thought Audis required a special tool to unscrew the half-shaft. So I've got two questions:

1) Is a special tool or special procedures needed to replace the half-shaft, or is it just like a normal replacement as with most other cars?

2) I've been looking at some half-shafts online. I need a left front axle. Does anyone have any suggestions or recommendations. THe ones I have been looking at are:

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/autopartsplace/quote.jsp?PBJ=070921_092918_0492485679_AUD&yea r=2003&make=AU&product=K4000-126832&application=002465676


and


http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1411322&parttype=22 88&a=FRc1411322k881784

Are these good, or should I be looking at something else? Also, anything else I may be forgetting or need to do the job?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the help!

 

Yes. You need a triple square for the bolts that hold the shaft on the transaxle side.

 

I never remove the shaft to replace the boot either. Wife's car has seen several boot replacements but still has all the original CV joints. Now that I think of it, I can't remember the last time I replaced a CV joint in anything.

I'd reconsider your decision.

 

I wouldn't touch them unless you know that the C/V joint has been replaced with NEW. I wouldn't trust someone else`s cleaned up C/V as being better than mine, which has had no problems, just a broken boot. The half shafts do not have to be removed to change a boot, the boot can be changed with the shaft in situ. BTDT. <$30.

 

Just hold the snake oil, please! ;-)

 

If not careful, one can learn something new every day!

 

Details on shaft in car boot replacement?

 

The way most shops do it is to remove the outer bolt, remove the three bolts that hold the upper suspension to the body (under the hood), and pull the whole suspension to the side and down.

I don't do it this way. I take the "opportunity" to change the dreaded pinch bolt.

 

Pep boys carries a set of 4 four around $9.

 

I on the other hand am trying to avoid the dreaded pinch bolt.