Drive shaft replacement
 

Anybody got any advice on replacing the drive shaft on a '99 626?
I was told the boots on it are bad, but when I looked, the CV boots look fine.
However, the boots for the drive shaft are dry rotted and cracked. I was told the easiest thing is to replace the whoe drive shaft. Is this right?
Thanks,
Dawn

RE: Drive shaft replacement
 

The driveshaft has to be removed if you want to replace the CV boots anyways. It might be more cost effective to pay a little more for a rebuilt axle and less labor. It would be best to get an estimate for axle replacement vs. CV boot replacement. If the CV boots are just dry rotted and you hear no clicking noises when you turn, the CV joints are still good. It would be good to look at both driveshafts carefully. It is usually the outer CV boots that fail first.

RE: Drive shaft replacement
 

bkey is right. If not hearing any clicking noise when making sharp turns then the joints are ok, especially if they are not even torn open yet. That boot keeps the grease inside and dirt and other road debris out. If cost for axle replace over boot replace is close then go with the boot replace. Have seen way too many times installing a remaned axle that you suddenly do get clicking from front. Not all remans are good. May be covered under a short warranty but is it worth having to take back and have same repair done over and over? Factory axles are far superior to a reman unit especially given how new your car is.

RE: Drive shaft replacement
 

best option is replacement.... drive shaft of your vehicle is the one that is responsible for the transfer of power coming from the engine or the transmission going to your vehicle’s wheels, it directs the wheel in order for the vehicle to flawlessly run... since your drive shaft are dry and cracked, it would be better to change it... (ex: mercedes drive shaft)