Accidentally punctured front axle boot

[Ken_W]

Was trying to remove old stabilizer bar link and accidentally nicked the boot with something sharp. Now I have a 4mm hole that is slowly oozing grease. Not a good day -- this axle was perfectly fine otherwise.

I presume that the whole axle needs to be replaced now? How long can I drive the car before big problems will occur? Minutes? Hours? A few days?

Ken_W

[00Beast]

I think you can have a new boot installed, or install it yourself.

[bonnelover]

when i had my eldorado, yearssss ago, i bought a universal boot and installed it, worked great, no leaks. you take off the old one and the new one bands on both ends and you screw the boot together in the middle. it also came with grease, to put in the new boot.

[bonnelover]

if its your bonneville, here is the link to advance auto parts for the 2000 bonneville, it shows the replacement boot, less than $20 and you are on your way

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp ... =axle+boot

[repinS]

As long as you tackle it soon enough (don't drive much, if you can avoid it) and get a new boot kit on, you should be fine. Make sure the grease remains plentiful.

[comatoast]

Doing an entire drivers axle on mine next week, and after reading a bunch of online reviews and asking around NAPA seems to have the best quality OEM replacements, at least from what was mentioned to me and according to reviews. 00beast is probably getting sick of answering my laundry list of questions but ill ask one more


When im driving my steering is very stiff in the center position, meaning I actually have to use a little force to turn it, how most cars turn very easy at all speeds , this seems like it doesnt want to turn easily.. When parked it turns fine, but while driving it doesnt..

Fluid is full, dont see any leaks, so would this be the pump somehow or the bad driver axle that has covered my drivers fender with grease spitting from out the boot?

[The_Maniac]

I had the same issue on my Grand Am (messed up the CV boot during another repair). I did not like the universal boots I saw (wrap around and screw together). I bought a OEM style boot and my father and I changed it ourselves (I don't recall the exact process). I believe it came with fresh grease to put in (grease is VERY important).

I later had to replace the opposite side half shaft on the car (I think a new half shaft was $60 plush a seal for the transmission). But if need just a boot, I'd get just the boot....

[00Beast]

Those Dorman boots look like OEM to me. Cut the old one off, install the new.

[Ken_W]

Thanks guys for the info. After checking it out and finding out that AutoZone had a new axle only costing $40 more than the repair boot, I elected to just replace the whole axle.

I'm sure that the info posted here will be useful to future readers, since it appears that this event (puncturing boot) is not uncommon.

Ken_W

[harofreak00]

Haven't heard many good things about those cheap Autozone axles. I would have replaced the boot if I was you.

[The_Maniac]

FYI - When replacing the axle, don't forget the transmission seal (otherwise, you might start loosing transmission fluid).

[xrob]

I'm experiencing a simiar issue. As i went in for a wheel alignment...i was told i need 2 front axle and new struts. I know my axle on the drivers side was leaking grease...I just need help also. My mechanic recommended we taking off the boot and taking the axle to a shop and getting a new boot inserted...and i ready to purchase new monroe quick struts...anything else i should be concerned about or getn replaced. I did my outer tie rods already?