mercedes c300 09 has two torn inner cv boot tears in the front wheels; wondering repair cost.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I got my brakes rotors replaced but was told that both cv inner boot fronts (i.e. the black rubber slinky thing) are torn. I took a look myself and was able to put my fingers through the holes and saw the grease. It seems like it has been there a while since I drive the car less than 2000 miles per year.

Unfortunately, I was quoted a price of $1200 to repair. is that high? Also, would this fail safety inspection?; the steering seems great and no sounds while turning. The car feels great. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Sadly, a CV boot is relatively inexpensive rubber part (even for a Mercedes) but that cost a lot to install because the mechanic has to take time to remove the wheels , brakes, and suspension to slide the donut-shaped boot onto the axle. The $1200 price does not seem crazy for changing two boots, but you could compare between shops.

You need to change a torn boot because it keeps grease in the axle assembly to allows the wheels to turn, and the torn boot will let water get in and rust the axle assembly. So, if you don't repair it, your axle will rust and the wheels will seize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sadly, a CV boot is relatively inexpensive rubber part (even for a Mercedes) but that cost a lot to install because the mechanic has to take time to remove the wheels , brakes, and suspension to slide the donut-shaped boot onto the axle. The $1200 price does not seem crazy for changing two boots, but you could compare between shops.

You need to change a torn boot because it keeps grease in the axle assembly to allows the wheels to turn, and the torn boot will let water get in and rust the axle assembly. So, if you don't repair it, your axle will rust and the wheels will seize.

Go to silver star motors. Only work on mercedes. very reasonable prices.

[Anonymous]

$1200 is about right. They’re replacing the entire shaft assembly, not just the boots. The shafts are probably around $450 each side, along with $300 labor.

The reason they’re replacing the shafts and not just the boots is by the time you notice the tears in the boots it’s usually already too late - the grease has leaked out and the bearings are already trashed. So if you see a torn boot, you just replace the whole shaft, because the damage has already been done.

It’s not a difficult job, you just raise the car, pull the wheel off, pull the brake rotor, remove the axle nut, and pull the CV shaft out through the hub. New one goes in the same way, everything goes back together. Takes about an hour each side.

$1,200 is a fair price.