If the axle isn't making a "clicking" noise go ahead and replace the boot. There is a LOT of grease packed in the boot to protect and lubricate the joint, so you can drive on it for a little while with no damage done. My 2004 has 124,000 miles, and I'm on the original axles but have replaced a few boots, since I catch them early.

It will always cost more to replace the axle vs. the boot. Even if the labor is the same you're going to pay way more for an axle ($600 new, don't know how much for a good rebuilt axle) vs. getting a boot kit, which ranges from $20 - $40.

 

Just the boot. The aftermarket axles even if rebuilt might be worse than your original ones.

my 95 Passat VR6 has the ORIGINAL boots and axles at 238k miles. believe it or not.

The boots on the B5 passat crack open quite regularly. sure wish someone would design a fix.

 

hax.

that aside, the boots are a kind of iffy thing...
replacement is a nice and cheap method, sure, but what you have to worry about is if the damage has already been done to them. when you do the job of disassembling the joint you have to make certain to remember which ball goes where. they are each individually worn into their own holes. getting them off will cause some strange stuff to happen.

a good parts cleaner is gasoline in a drain bucket. no joke. you can soak the parts and scrub them down really well. be sure to get a good grease as well. the coastal stuff works great.

 

Just the boot. The aftermarket axles even if rebuilt might be worse than your original ones.

I assume you are serious, so please tell me what is the basis for your statement?

A new boot is 10 to 20 bucks. A good quality reman axle is $80 to $100. Whatever the labor rate is, your mechanic must figure he can replace the boot in less than $70 worth of time.

Why don't you ask your mechanic how long he would warranty each option?

If your mechanic is willing to warranty to the new boot option for a year, then go for that option.

Since I do my own work, I always put in remans. I've replaced a boot once and I see no value in the extra labor in doing so when I have never had a problem with a reman axle. Yes, there is junk out there, but there are quality remans as well. Your mechanic should know what reman to get.

You could also go to the dealer and get a new axle approximating the wholesale value of your car. That way you would have the assurance of OEM. Keep in mind that there are some BMW and Porsche owners in the US who don't wash their cars because they can't get enough German water.....

 

I've replaced both axles on my '99 GLS with remans from Raxles.com. The labor required to get them in and out in my garage made it worth it to me, as opposed to expending the labor and replacing only the boot.

I'd recommend Raxles.com as a source if you are doing it yourself.

Tom

 

i would never replace a boot unless MAYBE i found it when it was a teeny tiny crack like hairline. Only take a small amount of work for some dirt or something to get in and you just wasted your efforts and all you bought is some time. Raxles makes amazing axles and though pricey ($175 ea) its not a part that you should cheap out on. Alot of cheap aftermarket use solid axle replacements and (being a former worker at an auto store) ive seen many warranties for vibrations. Bottom line not a time to be cheap

 

Its all about cost. If you cant afford the whole a xle replacement, it would extend the life of the joit.

 

Thanks for all your responses. The costs from my mechanic's sources mean that the whole assembly with 2 boots is not much more than just a boot kit and the labor is about the same, so that's the route I'm taking.

 

Brand new axles don't cost more than $100. So much easier for DIY to replace axle than play around with grease. I got my axles for $65 new

 

Axles for $65??? please do tell where your getting them from i'll take two..

oke: You'll get what you pay for, too...

There are waaayyy too many early axle failure stories on here and other VAG product forums for me to ever consider cheaping out on this part. I just installed a left axle from Raxles.com and am collecting my pennies to do the right side within the next 7-10k miles...

'01 B5 GLX Variant, V6/5M driven ~800 miles a week...

YMMV

 

Axles for $65??? please do tell where your getting them from i'll take two..

 

O'Reilly Auto Parts has them for that price. They were cheaper than the reman. Quality is ok, but after a year, I do get some slight vibration at light throttle on the highway. It could be the new axle, but it could be one of the other 3 (plus driveshaft) on mine.

If you are paying for labor and plan on keeping the car, I would get Raxles.

 

I used RAxles.com to replace my axless on my b5.5 in 2005. Finally the right outer boot torn and raxles warrantied the axle with a new reman. THhe only downside was I had to send them the bad axle first. The total turnaround time was less than a week and I had a new axle. BTW, Raxles have limited lifetime warranty on the Axles.

 

Na, these axles are better than the more expensive ones that i bought which were rebuilt. Been running on them for 3 yrs and the boot is nice and tight. I wish I could say the same for the upper control arms. since replaceing originals with Myle then FCP groton, they never fit right somehow.