Hey all,
The other day I noticed some brownish almost chunky looking fluid all over inside the wheel well for the front passenger side wheel. Doing some research it seems like it’s probably a CV boot leak because that’s where most of the fluid is concentrated. I took a few pictures but I’m not sure how good they will be for you guys.
I just wanna know if this is serious and if it is how much should it cost to fix?
Let me know if you need any more information.
Thanks!
Tanner
No. It’s not serious.
What’s happening is that CV-joint is wearing out, causing heat inside the CV-boot, which creates pressure inside the CV-boot, which forces the grease outside the CV-boot.
If you came to my shop and I saw that, I would tell you, “Bring it back when the CV-joint starts making noise then I’ll replace it”.
The cost depends on if you replace it, or if I replace it.
Tester
Looks like an inner CV joint. Many times the first sign of a problem (other than the leakage) is a vibration when accelerating or climbing a hill.
God, I wish everybody would give us so much to work with. I tip my hat to you.
Yeah, it’s the CV joints. You can see in the second photo where the grease was centrifuged out to the surrounding surfaces as the CV joint spun. Whether it’s the inner or the outer, the fix is the same: new half shafts. I’d do as Tester suggested and wait until it starts making noise.
If an outer joint goes bad, it’ll typically make a clicking noise when turned, as the little balls go back and forth in their slots. If an inner joints goes, it’ll typically make a knocking noise when turning tightly, as its trifurcated center part drags the bearings in and out of their worn-in grooves in the outer housing.
The outer CV joints are designed to continue a smooth transfer of torque while highly articulated, the inner joints are designed to allow the axle to change length as the steering knuckle allows the hub to follow the path dictated by the suspension and steering components… while still accepting a modicum of articulation and transmitting torque.
The attached lick show you how they’re typically built.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=diagrams+of+cv+joints&view=detailv2&qpvt=diagrams+of+cv+joints&id=73955C7950B0861A97C51706B8CE204D0836F0DF&selectedIndex=6&ccid=EQboOXxs&simid=607999741585853770&thid=OIP.M1106e8397c6c49b0e6196a5c0963b77eH0&ajaxhist=0
My vote is with Tester; drive it until it clicks.
An area of more concern might be the lower left corner in the center picture. That looks like a leak in a steering rack boot.
Thanks for the replies everyone! Glad to hear that it’s not too serious.
I noticed that too ok4450, I’ll try and take some more pictures tomorrow. I noticed I’m having a lot of power steering whine and the steering wheel has gotten harder and harder to turn since I got the car about a month ago, do you think that has anything to do with it or is the steering rack boot leaking a different issue?
Thanks again everyone!
Yes, difficult steering and whining could be related to that steering rack boot leak and it’s a separate issue from the CV axle boot. You need to check the power steering fluid level immediately and keep it topped off until repaired.
A new boot will not cure the steering rack leak. That is due to an internal rack seal leaking and it’s only noticeable because the rack boot is cracked or has a hole in it.
The cure for this is a new or remanufactured steering rack.