Replacing CV boots

[yorketransport]

I've got a torn CV boot on the right front corner of of my '05 Silverado 2500, and I'm trying to decide if there's any reason I shouldn't just replace the CV axles while I've got it torn apart. I don't have any reason to believe that the axles are worn or really need to be replaced other than I've got 145,000 miles on the truck and it probably wouldn't hurt to just replace them. Then I got to thinking that I should probably just do the bearings while I've got it torn apart that much. I'm finding myself quickly falling into the pit of "while I'm in there....." and soon I'll be redoing the whole front end just because I had a torn CV boot.

Any thoughts on other stuff I should just tear into while I'm in there? Or would you all just leave everything alone and only fix what's broken, the torn CV boot?

[MtnMuley]

I personally would replace the CV axles while I had it tore apart. 

[JimmyHoffa]

Easier and faster to just swap the CV axle.  It's something like 8 bolts on one end (need a torque wrench) and a big nut on the other, then it slides out.  The socket might be kind of a special size.  But you have to do all that anyways to replace the boot.  Some stores give you trade in credit if you bring them the old one after you've done the swap.

[Stein]

I would always do the entire axle, unless it was some freak think like you ran over a branch with 100 miles on a new truck and tore the boot and know there isn't dirt, mud, rocks or other stuff in the grease.

[jackelope]

Do the axles. Pretty much nobody does just CV boots anymore.

[yorketransport]

Sound's like everybody's on the same page. I had a few guys suggest that I do just the boot to save a couple bucks, but it just seems pointless if I have to tear the whole axle off anyways. Besides, the complete axles are only about $70 each.

[syoungs]

Only time I'll do a cv boot vs an axle is if I tear the boot myself while in the shop, which honestly only happens to me on quads now a days lol.

[HntnFsh]

Done my fair share of boots. Never again with the price of axles so cheap. Much easier to replace the axle.

[Stein]

Sound's like everybody's on the same page. I had a few guys suggest that I do just the boot to save a couple bucks, but it just seems pointless if I have to tear the whole axle off anyways. Besides, the complete axles are only about $70 each.

Good grief, how many times over the next few decades would you be second guessing that choice?  If for no other reason, I would be glad to know I had a new part there.  I hate running down the interstate wondering if I made the right choice.  On top of that, I sometimes do stuff just to teach the kids how things work and get them involved (that doesn't apply to everyone).

[thinkingman]

Another for replacing axles, not boots.
I replaced the halfshaft on my VW myself. It required two specialty tools and a new axle bolt(torque to yield bolts-do not reuse!).  In total, it might have taken an hour and it was my first time doing it.
The only ‘fun’ part was obtaining the final torque value. 
200Nm plus 180 degrees meant a two foot breaker bar with my jack handle extension and my feet off the floor.
I earned that beer.

[Iveexcaped3]

They do make a split cv boot so you can do it in 5 minutes.... just saying.... I’ve done that while I’m there to many times and it ends up costing way more than you think. Same time I’ve learned to put factory parts back on, not the autozone Napa crap

[thinkingman]

Another for replacing axles, not boots.
I replaced the halfshaft on my VW myself. It required two specialty tools and a new axle bolt(torque to yield bolts-do not reuse!).  In total, it might have taken an hour and it was my first time doing it.
The only ‘fun’ part was obtaining the final torque value. 
200Nm plus 180 degrees meant a two foot breaker bar with my jack handle extension and my feet off the floor.
I earned that beer.

[highside74]

Do the axles. Pretty much nobody does just CV boots anymore.

  you won't find a shop out there that just does boots anymore and there is a reason. You can get a brand new CV axle for less than $80. If you are doing it yourself just go get a new one and call it a day.

[HntnFsh]

They do make a split cv boot so you can do it in 5 minutes.... just saying.... I’ve done that while I’m there to many times and it ends up costing way more than you think. Same time I’ve learned to put factory parts back on, not the autozone Napa crap

Tried the split boot once. Not fun trying to line up the 2 sides with all the pleats. Got more of the glue on my hands than the boot. Tore the boot back off and went and bought an axle.

[deerhunter_98520]

Replace the axles, you know if you just replace the boot your axle is going to fail on opening day this year 

[Grit dog]

Split boot to protect it if it hasn't gotten wet and contaminated if you want to patch it up to repair in the near future.
I wouldn't go through the effort of tearing the front end apart with those miles and not put in a new half shaft considering it's not expensive.  Your time is worth more if you have to do it twice than the cost of a new part.

[yorketransport]

Well I think it's going to turn into a bigger project than I thought. I had to change a tire yesterday after a piece of shale when clean through the tread of my tire and noticed that the sway bar links are getting worn too. While I'm in there, I may as well do those.

If I find anything else I'm just bringing it in to shop. I may be cheap and try to do it myself, but I'm also lazy! At a certain point my lazy side wins over my my cheap side.

[Crunchy]

In this weather I would probably go the shop route unless you have a warm garage to work in.  Lord knows something isnt going to go as easily as planned.  Being cold and pi$$ed isnt a good combo.