halfshaft repair or replace?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
halfshaft repair or replace?
My driver's side halfshaft's boot is torn and I'm debating whether to just replace the boot or use Autozone's entire axle replacement. Does anyone have any experience with Autozone's axle? It's a duralast and has a lifetime warranty; I haven't read the fine print though.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
Likes: 192
From: At the beach in little Rhody
"Chuckster" had a post on repairing this not too long ago, might be worth looking at to see if you can handle the repair. I am not nuts on something like this from AZ, I would get it from Gene Culley first.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Chuckster's post is yet another example of why I don't want to replace the boot myself! Every post I've read about the job is that it's difficult to do; going over the steps makes me not even want to attempt it. Especially if all it's going to cost is $30! So my delimma now is use the OEM boot on my OEM halfshaft or replace the whole thing with an Autozone halfshaft?
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Durham NC
First, I'd say the boot replacement is the way to go presuming you don't have a high mileage car. The boot is the weakest part of the system and if you are going to replace it, using the factory replacement makes a lot of sense.
Regarding the Autozone replacement part, for this price it is surely a remanufactured part. In most cases this means nothing more than regreasing the joints and putting on new clamps and boots. If I can find out more detail about Duralast parts, I will post.
Regarding the Autozone replacement part, for this price it is surely a remanufactured part. In most cases this means nothing more than regreasing the joints and putting on new clamps and boots. If I can find out more detail about Duralast parts, I will post.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Durham NC
Apparently Autozone gets some remanufactured parts and some new which are made in China. Don't know the origin of Vette halfshafts.
Labor cost is significant so it would be a shame to spend the money and have a reman part give poor service. I still think boot replacement is the way to go if your mileage is reasonable.
Labor cost is significant so it would be a shame to spend the money and have a reman part give poor service. I still think boot replacement is the way to go if your mileage is reasonable.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
I'm probably jinx'ing myself but I have 120k+ on my shafts and no issues at all. I'm not convinced that mileage is an indication of wear...there are cars that snap shafts at 10k mi and others with 100k....
Usually its the output shafts that break on these cars, not the CV axles.
Usually its the output shafts that break on these cars, not the CV axles.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Durham NC
A possibility that might make sense for you would be to replace the outboard joint while you are replacing the boot. The shaft and inboard joint should last the life of the vehicle unless you are racing. Outboard joints are available through your friendly dealer.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Durham NC
I'm probably jinx'ing myself but I have 120k+ on my shafts and no issues at all. I'm not convinced that mileage is an indication of wear...there are cars that snap shafts at 10k mi and others with 100k....
Usually its the output shafts that break on these cars, not the CV axles.
Usually its the output shafts that break on these cars, not the CV axles.
But of course there is a lot of variation in the abuse drivers give their halfshafts and a lot of variation in the manufacturing tolerances which affect durability. So we can't really say how long one should last. A halfshaft can easily last the life of the car under some circumstances. Sometimes not. In terms of halfshafts, I say anything over 100,000 miles is high mileage. But as I said, this doesn't necessarily mean they are worn out at that point.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 377
Likes: 2
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
Boot replacement is easy; just follow Chuck’s instructions. You do have to hit it hard right in the spot that Chuck points out.
Put the new boot on with the clamps and use the new grease. I then took mine to the local dealer to crimp the new clamps. The dealer did not charge me nor would they take the tip I offered. Good learning experience 
Put the new boot on with the clamps and use the new grease. I then took mine to the local dealer to crimp the new clamps. The dealer did not charge me nor would they take the tip I offered. Good learning experience
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Durham NC
Here's a post I made a while back showing how to do a low profile clamp. It's quite easy with the right tool.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+profile+clamp
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...+profile+clamp
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
If you have the time...and the *****... do it yourself... If I had to do it over.... I'd take it to an Axle shop and have them rebuild it.. Or Try Ebay for a used one..
Here is my writeup just in case..
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...highlight=axle
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,602
Likes: 20
From: Palm City Florida
Pretty much I'm doing a cost/effort comparison on this job. I already have the boot from a GM dealer that I paid $70 for, but the Autozone halfshaft is $99. I could return the OEM boot kit I already have, so for $30 more I wouldn't have to deal with installing the new boot. Or, another option would be to take my halfshaft and new boot to a CV Joint shop and have them do the work; if I can find someone that'll do it for $30.
Chuckster's post is yet another example of why I don't want to replace the boot myself! Every post I've read about the job is that it's difficult to do; going over the steps makes me not even want to attempt it. Especially if all it's going to cost is $30! So my delimma now is use the OEM boot on my OEM halfshaft or replace the whole thing with an Autozone halfshaft?
Chuckster's post is yet another example of why I don't want to replace the boot myself! Every post I've read about the job is that it's difficult to do; going over the steps makes me not even want to attempt it. Especially if all it's going to cost is $30! So my delimma now is use the OEM boot on my OEM halfshaft or replace the whole thing with an Autozone halfshaft?
Well firstly... The Deal ripped you off.. that boot should have been half that price.. Screw the Autozone rebuild.. Take the boot to an axle shop.. They will have it done and out the door cheap..
I learned a lot in my procedure.. I know know that I NEVER want to do it again...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,900
Likes: 2
From: Green Cove Springs FL
Well firstly... The Deal ripped you off.. that boot should have been half that price.. Screw the Autozone rebuild.. Take the boot to an axle shop.. They will have it done and out the door cheap..
I learned a lot in my procedure.. I know know that I NEVER want to do it again...
I learned a lot in my procedure.. I know know that I NEVER want to do it again...
