What is most important to replace on my car (tie rod end, control arm, or cv boot)?

Question

4 months ago a mechanic at an Audi dealership told me I have a worn tie rod end and worn control arm. Yesterday a mechanic at Goodyear told me I had a torn CV boot, and he didn't catch the tie rod end or control arm problem. He is also saying that the CV boot and axle need to be replaced and it costs $350 dollars

I can't afford to replace all 3 right now, and I'm leaning towards the CV boot, but I'm questioning whether price is right and if I really need to replace the axle? Thank you guys

Answer 1

First, I recommend buying the Haynes manual for your make and model. Costs $20, and will save you a fortune. Jack up the wheel with alleged torn CV boot, and have a look. A torn rubber boot isn't awful, but it will, over time, let grease out and dirt in, so the joint will wear out. Look inside the tear, and if you don't see dirt, you likely don't have significant damage, yet, to the joint. You could replace just the boot, but the replacement will not be as good as original, because original is a tube, whereas replacement has one side split open, to allow wrapping, so there's a built in weakness. Might just wrap existing boot with a strip from a Target store plastic bag, about 3 or 4 wraps, then tie it tightly on each end with wire. This might buy several years of time, assuming the joint inside isn't already compromised.



Don't know history of car, how many miles it has, but opinions vary wildly about how bad a control arm and tie rod end must be to require replacement. If it handles OK, tire wear is even, if it tracks straight when you let go the wheel for a second, it might have a lot of safe driving left in it. While up on the jackstand, yank the tire side to side, looking for slack at the tie rod end. The control arm and tie rod end are weird joints, a lot like your shoulder bones -- want to allow rotation in 2 axes of motion while controlling rotation int he third. If it ever lets go, you stop being a driver and become a passenger with no warning -- you don't want to be there when that happens.

Answer 2

I'd take a pass on the CV joint boot. Even if it's totally ripped and losing grease it will still work for a good year or more yet. The complete axle should be replaced anyway so you won't be damaging anything else by waiting until you hear the CV joint knocking when accelerating in a tight turn.

Bad tie rod ends are dangerous and can separate and cause you to lose control and crash.

Both the tie rod ends and the control arm needs to be replaced at the same time so you can get a 4 wheel alignment done after they get replaced. Doing them at the same time will save you money as you won't need to do the alignment two times that way.

Not doing the tie rod ends, control arm and alignment will wear out your tires fast.

Answer 3

If the CV boot is torn and has let water and dirt inside the CV joint, the CV axle will need to be replaced. There's no reversing that damage. And if you let it get worse itll eventually break and your entire wheel will practically fall off and you'll probably wreck. IF there's NO gritty sand or dirt substance inside the CV boot you can just have the boot itself replaced. Make sure they add more grease. But if there has been any rain on a dusty road, simply replacing the boot won't be enough. I'd suggest doing the whole CV axle just to be safe. As for the tie rod end, it depends on if its an inner or outer tie rod. Inner tie rod can cause more damage, outer tie rod isn't as dangerous and can be put off for a little while. The upper control arm needs to be replaced but if the damage is minimal it'll last probably another month or 2. Maybe more depending on your driving habits. Avoid bumpy roads!!

Answer 4

CV boot protects the CV joint on the axle and retains the grease. When you get a new axle it comes with boots installed (two because there are two joints per axle). If there is no clicking noises when turning then only the boot is bad at this point in time and the axle is ok.

I'd ask trusted friends for references to a private auto repair shop and go get a third opinion. You yourself know something is odd considering two different inspections don't match. I don't have anything good to say about the two companies you are dealing with thus far.