2005 BMW 330 Front axle boots

LDBIKER

MEMBER
2005 BMW 330
4 CYL
AWD
MANUAL
41,000 MILES

Had car in for break replacement - while there was told that both front axle boots needed replacement, as they were torn. I know that if they are torn they do need to be replaced, but the charge - just for boot replacement, NOT the CV joint - is $880. This seems excessive - even for BMW dealership. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

3 Replies

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

I think you have a 6 cylinder. Xi model?

LAbor time is 4.3 hours.

Napa sells reman shafts for about 62.00

IF it was at my shop, The job with shafts would be about 650 or so. Less with boots.

Bigger question is "How did this happen at such a low mileage and age?"

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Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 AT 1:16 PM

LDBIKER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Whoops - on the drop-down clicked the wrong one-- yes it is a 6. They told me just the boots needed replacement - do they automatically have to redo shafts when they replace the boots - just all part of the job? Don't know why - certainly no hard or extreme driving.

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Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 AT 1:41 PM

SERVICE WRITER

MECHANIC
9,123 POSTS

The boots can be a hassle on some of the cv shafts, not sure on that one, I haven't had the pleasure.

HAve you looked at it?
See how bad it really is.
Call me a cheap butcher on this, but I have siliconed and duct taped some before if they are minor tears.

There are split boots available that do not require removal of the shaft where the majority of the labor resides. I've never used these, but know they exist.

Shafts and boots can replaced separatley.

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Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 AT 2:05 PM