Replace CV Joint Axle for 1996 Toyota Camry - Advice Needed?

[josephmanavalan]

An oil change at the Toyota dealership for my 1996 Camry (with 160k miles) resulted in a recommendation to replace both CV joints because they had split (I assume that the boots have split). The dealership is quoting $350 per axle to do this work. A local mechanic is asking for $150 per axle.

My questions are:
1. How serious is this condition? I hear that a clicking sound is an indication of this being a serious issue but I don't hear anything when driving my car.

2. There's a huge cost differential between the dealership and the local mechanic. Any advice for me on which I should choose?

[WillS]

First of all 350 per axle is way too much. On the other hand 150 per axle seems way cheap. Is your local "mechanic" giving you at least a one year warranty parts and labor? If he is, then jump on that. Is your local mechanics shop a reputable repair facility? Also fyi, usually it's just the outer boots that tear, so if you dont hear any clicking noises when turning you can just replace the boots. The boots cost about ten dollars each and I would guess the labor would be an hour a side to install them. The whole key to cv shafts is to catch the boot when it first tears, that way you can replace the boot before all the grease is lost and damage is done to the joints.

[techjunkie999]

if you gotta have original everything, than go with the dealership.
If you go with the local mechanic, at least show up with toyota transmission fluid, because it's going to leak out when they pull the drive shafts.

[ShantyJ]

if the boots are busted ,replace them. there are replacement boots you can put on without having to pull the axles. check with your local parts store. they are fairly easy to put on. just follow the instructions.