How is this for bad luck. I bring my 06' 1500 4x4 in to have the front struts done. 5 days later, changing my oil and i notice grease thrown all over the right front wheel well. At first i just assume it's an overly greased ball joint that dropped the grease down onto the wheel where it got flung. But then when i see the color of the grease and how much, it's clear that it's something else. That is when i found a large hole in the right front axle boot. Then i check the other side, same thing! A large rip in the boot and grease throwing out everywhere.

I go back to the shop and they say they will change out both front axles for me on tuesday. They obviously admit it's not a coincidence that days after both struts are changed out that both front axle boots have large rips in them.

Anybody have any similar issues? How big a job is this to do? I am wondering how long my truck will be in the shop.

Also, i hear that front wheel bearings are an item that can wear out on these trucks and leave you stranded. I had mine done at 30k under the warranty recall. But when you replace front axles, does that typically include new front wheel bearings? Or should i just pay extra for that?

Lastly, should i not be driving my truck much untill i have this work done? Their is a good amount of grease no longer in the boots and instead on my trucks front end. Is their any real risk driving it around for a few more days?

 

it should be done in about two hours and no the cv axels don't include the front wheel bearings and this is not a real hard job have done mine and serveral others

 

Yep, about an hour a side, wheel bearings would be a separate job.

 

Ok, and a quick search of complete front axle assemblies for the truck turned up plenty at only $50-$80 each. So i am sure he is getting a better price then that. His fault or not, i would feel bad if he had to eat some super expensive parts because of a careless mechanic.

As for wheel bearings, i guess ill just wait till i really need them. They have under 70,000 miles on them. I just figured if replacing the front axles involved taking them off anyhow then i could just pay for the new bearings and have them throw them in.

 

the wheel bearings dont have to be removed in order to change the axles, and they are a quick job in your driveway when they do go bad, i wouldnt worry about the bearings until its time to change them considering the cost of a new bearing/hub assembly. and driving your truck around with a torn boot wont hurt it for a short period of time.

 

there probably just going to replace the boots

 

If they do try and do this.....I'd instist they replaced both CV shafts as with no grease and large tears in the boots, the bearings in the CV's are compromised IMHO.
Al.

 

Most shops will replace the whole shaft in this situation, at their cost they are extremely cheap, and the last thing they want you to do is come back and complain because you will be doing it right in front of all the other customers waiting for their cars to be finished

 

They installed two new front axles today plus rotated my tires and appoligized many times for the inconvienience.

I understand mistakes happen. Maybe the mechanic did not realize he ripped both boots? Either way, the Manager made sure the issue was resolved and i am happy. At no time did they try and deny they caused it.

On the subject of just replacing the boots, i asked if they could do that and he said "No, not worth the effort plus the axles are contaminated" So even he agreed two new axles were what was needed.

If anybody can take anything away from this, any time you have front end work done by a shop, CHECK THE BOOTS!