I agree with all posts here. Don't waste your time with the "clam
shell" aftermarket boots. They never stay on and dirt gets in anyway.
Replacing the half-shaft, if necessary, is not that expensive, time
consuming, or difficult.

As a life prolonging tip, I now spray the boots liberally with silicone
spray every few thousand miles (usually when I am under the car doing
oil changes). It only takes a few seconds and anything to keep them
soft and flexible, and prevent them from drying out will help.

--Jeff


Tegger wrote:
> Peabody <waybackNO784SPAM44@yahoo.com> wrote in news:1iHhh.2500$RJ.1916
> @newsfe17.lga:
>
> > Tegger says...
> >
> > > If the joints are OEM it is definitely worth just
> > > replacing the boot -- IF the joint is still OK. You need
> > > to have an *experienced* mechanic listen for clicking
> > > from the joint.
> >
> > > And even if the joint passes the listen-test, it will
> > > still need to be inspected thoroughly once disassembled
> > > and cleaned to make sure the balls and races are not
> > > chipped or dented in any way.
> >
> > Yes, this is all OEM. The car is 12 years old, but only
> > has 53K miles on it. I'm just now replacing the original
> > tires and front brakes.
> >
> > > If the joint is OEM and passes both inspections, replace
> > > BOTH boots with NEW OEM, NOT aftermarket! New OEM is
> > > more expensive, but the new OEM boots last well over ten
> > > years, and your OEM joints will outlast them. And if one
> > > side is torn now, it's a sure bet the other won't be far
> > > behind.
> >
> > What about the inner boots? Do they not usually fail as
> > fast? The mechanic didn't say anything about them, and I
> > don't think I can see them.
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> The inner boots will outlast the outers by several times. The inner boots
> don't undergo the steering stresses that kill the outer boots. It's not a
> boad idea to repack the inners with grease once every ten years, though.
>
> If your OEM outer joints are still good, it would be *very* wise of you to
> retain them, with new OEM boots (about $40 each, plus the bands and
> grease). OEM CV joints are exceedingly high-quality.
>
> The new OEM boots will last a dozen years easily, so this may be the last
> you'll ever have to be concerned about the driveshafts.
>
> --
> Tegger
>
> The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ
> www.tegger.com/hondafaq/