While looking under the car today preparing for major front end replacement work this weekend, I noticed my CV boots are shot. What determines if the whole CV axle needs to be replaced or if you can get away with just replacing the boots?

 

OK, if you decide to just replace the boots (inside and outside) is there a way to do it without removing the CV axle?

 

If both the outer and inner boots are damaged and all the grease has run out of them then it is a good idea to replace the whole axle. Keep in mind it is rather simple to just replace the entire axle rather then replacing the boots (very labor intensive) but the cost is a little high. And yes you have to remove the entire axle from the car in order to replace the boots (plenty of pounding involved to get the CV joint off the end of the axle).