CV joints

[AbsorbantNut]

I think mine are bad. I have one boot ripped completely in half(but it still had grease and I'm just test driving it) and today it really got f-ed up(the rear of the car, not the joint I think). The whole right rear wheel feels like an egg. So is it possible that the CV joints are causing this and I need to get them rebuilt?

Also, is it better to get them rebuilt and spend the monies, or should I just get some from a junkyard? Any way to visually see how bad they are?

[jlevie]

Get the car up in the air and check the half shafts for rotational play. If you can find a pair of junkyard half shafts that are tight and don't have ripped boots, they should be fine. Though I would replace the boots and re-pack them with grease before installation.

[AbsorbantNut]

Get the car up in the air and check the half shafts for rotational play. If you can find a pair of junkyard half shafts that are tight and don't have ripped boots, they should be fine. Though I would replace the boots and re-pack them with grease before installation.

I reversed the car onto some jacks, then jacked it up from the diff with a bottle jack even more. I tried to twist the shafts, but they wouldnt move. I was able to slide them back and forth though between the diff and the wheel hub. Does that mean they are good and I just need new boots?

[jlevie]

If there was no rotational play, the half shafts are probably okay.

[AbsorbantNut]

If there was no rotational play, the half shafts are probably okay.

Best news I've heard all day! Thanks so much jlevie. I'm still going to take them out and get boots though. DO you know where to get them cheap? Because 50 bucks a boot is a lot

[jlevie]

I tried the cheap boots once and I'll never use them again. The outer boots were the wrong size/shape and rubbed on the rear shock (and quickly failed). Since OE boots are good for about 20 years, the higher price is acceptable. And the OE boot kits come with everything you need.