Hi Scotty,
I recently had a tire puncture, and when I was swapping the spare I noticed a bunch of grey metallic grease all around behind the wheel. I wish I had photographed it, but it looked like it was coming from a torn cv axle boot. For quite some time now I have been noticing a vibration while accelerating. It doesn’t start until about 45, then it goes away at 50mph, though lately it feels like it might be starting at lower speeds, it still is absent above 50mph.
also, for someone who does their own oil changes, has changed their own water pump, and has a few tools including a 1/2 inch breaker bar, is replacing a driver side cv joint a reasonable diy job for a few hours? I’m working on a 2015 Lexus ES 300h with 261k.
A CV axle will probably take you more than a few hours if you've never done it, but yes, it's doable for a home mechanic.
You'll need great big socket for the axle nut.
I'm sure Scotty has several videos about, as does Chrisfix and others.
But I recommend tracking down a procedure document from a service manual (visit your library). It will describe the particulars of your vehicle , including torque specs and so on.
Since you'll be in there, you might as well check the condition of your other front end components ahead of time: bearings, axle seals, balljoints, bushings, etc.
FWIW, I am not a professional mechanic, nor do I have years or even decades of hands on experience wrenching.
But with the help of different YouTube videos including Scotty’s general CV Axle replacement and specific ones for my car from other YouTubers, and tracking down my specific repair manual, I was able to change out my CV Axle with a torn boot, for a refurbished CV Axle with a new boot.
The actual removing the CV Axle then replacing it was quick. It just took me a bit to get remove everything I needed to remove to get access to the CV Axle.
I will say this, get the right tools for the job, specifically the special puller tool(s). One of the steps was releasing the lower ball joint from the lower control arm.
My local auto shops didn’t have the special puller tool in stock to rent, so I ended up using a pickle fork, which worked! But damaged the ball joint sleeve/case!!! So I had to learn how to replace a ball joint too!
An experienced mechanic may not even need the special tool, because they can knock it out with just a hammer and not damage anything.
Overall, I would say changing out a CV Axle is DIY friendly.
