Just got out of the garage from putting in an ome steering stabilizer (its awesome). While under there i noticed the left cv boot closest to the differential is ripped. there is also alot of grease around where it ripped. i kinda have a metal on metal sound when driving. This is with my hubs disconnected. What happened? how do i fix it? thanks

 

CV boots fail. The rubber boots can only take so much. I just bought a 98 Subaru Forester. I crawled under the car before I bought it and saw the front left inner boot was torn. I got an extra $200 price adjustment for that. My Subaru mechanic buddy recommended just replacing the whole cv axle assembly. That's commonly recommended here on YT as well. The replacement axle assembly from Autozone with a lifetime warranty costs about $70. The installation isn't too difficult either.

 

Did I do something to cause this. I have 116k miles on it. and i believe those are the originals. What is the metal on metal i hear when im driving though. Could the grease be coming out of my bearings and that is what i hear?

 

Have you opened the tear up and had a look inside yet? Is the truck clicking when turning? Like what was said before, if the boot is torn, it's probaby just best to replace the axle itself as well, because the work is almost the same. plus if the tear has been there a while it most likely has thrown all the grease out and your hearing the metal on metal sound of the joints rubbing together and you're probably about to pop the CV shaft anyhow.

 

x3 for replacing the whole halfshaft. If the grease could get out, dirt could get in, and who knows how the insides are worn. $69.99 at Autozone after core refund with lifetime guarantee.

 

Just a quick question, aboutl lifetime warranty...We do not have Autozone in Hawaii, the best that I've found around here was Napa Auto (double the price of Autozone)...Lifetime on the CV shafts and components, except the boots. . Does Autozone warranty cover boots too?

 

I picked up a new one from oriellys today and they told me life time will cover the boots