I have 2005 Mercedes Benz c240 with 120k miles. front wheel / steering wheel vibrates crazy when braking at 40mph or more.
I looked under front wheel well. The axle rubber boot is broken and grease leaking. Can you give advise if I need to replace the axle and how much should i be paying for this job (NJ).
thank you, Ben
try checking the cost on repairpal.com
The axle may not be the cause of your vibration though. Try moving the front wheels to the rear.
It seems like you may have two issues:
1) The Vibration.
2) Front Axle Boot torn.
I can provide some ideas on the second issue. There are two options:
(A) replace the entire axle.
(B) replace the boot on the axle.
Most shops I went to get quotes from, said they only replace the entire axle with a remanufactured axle. I ran into a few that could send mine out to get remanufactured itself. But none would replace the boot itself. The rationale behind this is that it cost just as much, if not more in parts and labor, that it is more efficient to change out the entire axle.
I recommend getting quotes to see which is more cost effective in your area.
I ended up changing the entire axle myself, because I was in a time crunch and I wasn't familiar with the process. But it retrospect, I probably should have done the boot on its own.
BTW, the price I got quoted to replace an axle on my Honda Accord 1999:
Repair Pal: $4000 (entire axle) I don't know why it is so much!
Dealer: $1200 (entire axle)
Independent Mechanic: $450 (entire axle)
Independent Mechanic: $300 (send out to axle to be reman)