rusn007

Went to a dealer for an oil change - got a call saying that my CV boot is cracked and need replacement. Quoted me $600 - which seems too expensive.

Is this a common issue with our cars? We bought the RX new.
Anybody had this done before and what's a good price from an independent mechanic?

I'm going to start calling around on Monday. Will also need to do a brake flush (per maintenance requirement) and transmission drain and fill (had been having hard shifts)

Thanks in advance.

80es300

Is that quote for changing just the boot or the whole axle? If it is just for the boot, that is too much I think. Also, if the boot has been torn for a while, then the axle may have started to damage... difficult to know.
I had a boot tear on my ES300 and the toyota mechanic I know told me to drive it until the axle is bad and then just change the whole axle (Toyota re-manufactured ones are better based on my research). I believe it roughly takes 1 hour to replace the axle.

Also see what others have to say

thomas1

They do have boots that are like a clam shell that can be installed without pulling axle shaft.

DennisMik

I'm not a fan of those clam shell boots. They don't seem to hold up that long.

If you are doing it yourself, replacing the boot is less expensive. A boot kits are $10 - $15 compared to the price of a replacement axle. But a real boot kit requires you pull the axle, so it is more work when you consider that you have to disassemble the CV joint, clean it, then re-grease and put the new boot on. But it only takes maybe an hour for the boot kit itself, half that if you have done them before.

rusn007

The $600 price from the dealer was just to replace the boot - not the axle.

Talked to my indy guy - he said it is not worth while changing the boot - he recommends changing the whole axle (to a Toyota re manufactured one).
Price will depend if it is the right or left side. Going OEM is pretty expensive - about $900 for right about $400 for the left (parts only).

DennisMik

It's really hard to find a repair shop that will change a boot.They will give you lots of reasons as to why not, but 95% of those reasons are bs. So that relegates boot changing to the do-it-yourself crowd.

80es300

$900 and $400... are those prices for new or re-manufactured axles? Both of yours are torn?
If you decide to change the axle, you might as well drive until it is bad and you start hearing the noise on turns. I think no point in spending so much at this point (only boot torn)

numbafree

Consider DIY. I know it's daunting if you haven't done that particular job before. youtube is your friend.


if you get a power bleeder ($50), you can change your brake fluid by yourself. takes about 15 minutes on a car, and for the RX you don't need to take the wheels off to get to the bleeder screw.

For the tranny fluid, also, pretty straight forward.

If you are busy, don't have time, don't like getting dirty (neither do I), or think you aren't mechanically inclined, I understand. It's really not that hard, and moreso about doing your homework, ordering the correct parts and having the proper tools on hand.

If I can do it, you totally can. For me I would change the axle out. I have jack stands and 2 jacks.

Good luck.

SkiMe

I just had my axleshaft replaced by Toyota. New, OEM ones.
$490.20 Driver's side
$614.15 Passenger side
Parts only here, plus labor.
They did the whole job for $500 labor which includes removing old ones, flushing transmission and re-installing new, OEM ones. Additionally, 5 Quarts of WS tranny fluid ($47.25).

Passenger side was on backorder so it did take a few weeks to get.

rusn007

* UPDATE:

I ended up replacing the driver side axle with a Toyota rebuilt part. My mechanic charged me $200 (parts and labor) and comes with a one year warranty. Hope it lasts.