My mechanic says the left CV boot is "wide open" and the right one is cracked. He wants to clean and regrease the axles and replace the boots. He feels that's better than replacing with non-OEM axles (provided the existing units are not yet noisy, which they are not), and new original Volvo axles are of course very expensive. He is a master SAAB technician but also works on Volvos quite a bit. He wants $330 total for both sides, reusing the existing axles.
DIY:
New axles from FCP Groton would cost me $240 for both sides. Alternatively, CV Boot Kits (inner and outer boot, clamps, and grease) from FCP Groton would cost me $51 for both sides.
Is cleaning/regreasing instead of replacing really the way to go? If so, is his price reasonable? How much trouble would a DIY with the boot kits be?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Cheers,
volvocrazed
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'97 850 n/a Wagon, 125K mi
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