Cv axle boot replacement.

I'll weigh in.

I'd certainly replace it now instead of later....
Reasons: water intrusion, grease loss.

As for price...
Complete axle would come with the boot already installed.
Since boot replacement is typically a bench job (typically) the same labor is involved to remove the axle as replacing the entire assembly plus there would be an extra labor charge to replace the boot.

I don't know your areas labor rate nor the book time for labor.

So...for analysis only
Remove and replace axle...3 hours
Cost of axle...$xxx.xx

Remove and reinstall axle...3 hours
Remove and replace boot...1 hour
Boot and Grease...$xxx.xx

If the axle joints and bearing are still okay; boot only may be cheapest and a good repair.
If the tear has been there for some time (including winter) and all the grease is gone; axle may be best for long term repair.

Good luck in your decision.

 

Wow the caked on dirt on the under carriage is not good. Worst I have seen. You must live on a dirt road.
Really hard on the cars brakes hubs and trans.

I was going to say it's a good idea to condition the rubber boots with rubber conditioner but in your case
It would not help. I use black magic protectant. Keeps the rubber from cracking which totals the cv joint.

 

Grease is flinging and dirt is sticking to it?

 

Have you ever considered split cv boot? I have never used it myself. However, it only cost around $20 or less. Also, the entire drive axle is available around $50 at local auto parts stores. I have used these a couple times without any long term issue. Then you can just bring it to any auto mechanic shop to have it installed, if you can not do it yourself.

 

Check Amazon too. CV boots should be washed with soap and water once in a while

 

OH BOY!!! Toyota Corporate would not be pleased to hear that!!!! Franchised dealers are supposed to get ALL parts thru OEM distribution channels. A name-plate dealer installing non-OEM parts is setting themselves up for a bog problem.

To the question at hand, the axle shaft would not need to be removed to replace the outer boot, but the time saving is likely minimal. At this age and unknown mileage in the rust belt of PA, I would replace the axle with a quality remanufactured unit or an OEM new one only if you are going to keep the car for any length of time. It takes only a very small amount of dirt, water, salt, or road-grime getting into the joint to begin the destruction in earnest.

If you are charged 3 hours, that would be absolute TOPS for this job - like they never want to see you again time.

 

I'm not sure dealerships are obligated to install only OEM parts.

Maybe apples/oranges, but I've had a Honda dealership install an aftermarket starter. They offered both OEM and aftermarket.

 

They better hope HNA does not catch them! Most, if not all, franchise agreements stipulate OEM sourced parts. Of course these could be new, remanufactured, rebuilt and in a few cases even core parts.

Can you get a Wendy's burger at McD's? Nope.

 

Yes, 3 MAX.

You are in the RUST BELT, weather you replace the boot, or axle, now - you will be replacing the axle! The likelihood that grease got out and crud did not get in, is, well.... not good.

 

Having a dealer do the repair is nuts having a dealer just replace the boot is even nuttier.
There's nothing special at all about the cv joints on your car there like any other car. There's an inner joint and an outer joint.
Go online to Toyota parts and buy an oem joint and the boot.
Take it to any reputable tire store and they replace cv joints so day long.
Replace the joint and the boot. Looks like an outer which is good as inner require trans fluid replacement. But you will need a front end alignment also,
I looked online and an oem complete outer joint including boot is $200.
2 hours labor at tire kingdom is around $ 450 out the door.

I highly recommend oem Toyota parts. I would not use aftermarket cv joints. It's usually Chinese crap.I know of no Toyota dealer that use crappy after market parts they have to warranty. Why would they? They sell parts. The parts they sell fit your car guaranteed and work perfectly.

My local Toyota dealer is $140 an hour. My local pretty competent Tire Kingdom is $110. My local mechanic is $80 an hour.

 

From the photo, it looks like the RH out boot and therefore axle. That is the one that typically sees the most slop, puddles etc.

New OEM axles for the RH side run $350-$450, so the price you got from the dealer was very respectable given it seemingly included labor.

Olathe Toyota is generally competitive on parts pricing, but there is a tremendous amount of "wiggle room" in the installed price of any OEM part at a dealer. Certain parts have 1000% markup (that's 10x folks!).

RockAuto and others sell name-brand rebuilt/remanufactured axles for about 1/4 or less of the dealer quote. Given the number of rebuilt/remanufactured parts I have installed in my life and then Uninstalled due to premature failure, 50% is the MOST I am willing to pay for any reman part including installation.

OEM: Axle Assembly - Toyota (43410-47020)

Not: 2005 TOYOTA PRIUS 1.5L L4 ELECTRIC/GAS CV Half Shaft Assembly | RockAuto

Ironically, the rebuilt ones are on the order of 10% the cost of new price on-line.

My currently preferred option is recycled parts, but in most cases I am doing the install myself. Anything electrical other than batteries and switches is recycled and most drivetrain parts are too. There are TONS of clean low-mileage cars with excellent gently used parts on them for cheap money.