Is this an axel problem, brakes or CV boot?

Thanks. Could the car in reverse (no brakes on) squeaking be possibly the brakes? I am unable to check the brakes myself, and on Monday will have the brakes looked at and hope for the best. What I want to prepare myself for are other expensive possibilities. Thanks for the help.

Thank you- I wish I could work on the brakes myself.

So I took the car in- yes the front brakes needed pads and rotors- I saw them and they were really worn. $210 (I live in San Francisco, everything is ridiculous) Then they asked me if I wanted my back brakes cleaned ( as I watched them take the back wheels off and all this dust came off. $40, well, ok I say, knowing I am getting ripped off, as they spray some kind of cleaner on the back. ( I am miserable at this point.) I am watching the guy do the work thinking I COULD have changed the brakes- then I see the cv boot is split badly and I ask about that. They tell me I can replace the axel and cv boot. Why not just the cv boot? (What a waste to replace the entire axel) and the guy tells me this is how it is done now- whole component, no repacking the bearings, whole deal, and of course labor. I have had the cv boot replaced twice (once for free by my old mechanic). Total retail price $460, brakes, axel, cv boot- then I had to ask to then to check my air tire air pressure. Brakes are good now, no noise, no odd sounds on steering. . And yet I feel I was hood winked on the replacing the axel and "cleaning " the back brakes. Tell me it aint so Joe. Thanks for your help though

Thanks for your reply. I still can't grasp replacing everything 'new', gone are the days of rebuilding things and repairing? Now it's throw away and replacing, I am a dinosaur still thinking I am in my grandfather's garage watching him refurbishing cars. He would not be proud of his granddaughter not changing the brakes or oil herself. Glad you got the Joe quote. Be well and I appreciate your assistance.
Happy Thanksgiving!

My car (recently repaired, thanks for your comments) was stolen from in front of my house yesterday. Unbelievable. I guess old Honda Civics take 3 seconds to get into, at least that's what the police told me. I am hopeful in the next 15 days I have (insurance claim) it is somehow recovered and will be able to be ok, with minor repair. However, that probably is being very optimistic, even in my stage of dismay, do you have any suggestions to used cars that might be a good buy used? I loved my simple, high mileage (bought it new in 1996 because it got 40 miles to the gallon, nothing on it, manual trans, no air, roll up windows.) I have looked a little at used cars today, the Scion, Yaris, Civic- but even used, seem priced high for a little used, simple car, plus they have all this stuff on it. Any American cars I should be looking at? Good miles to the gallon, and simple is my priority, and am discouraged to see there isn't anything looking good. My ol' Civic was the perfect car for me, which is why I hung on to it. ( I am short and little and the size never bothered me.) Any advice would be appreciated. I am writing so you could laugh at my previous brakes anx, and then some thief makes off with it. I am so mad. Be well.

Stick with a civic. Lots of parts available especially models from 1992-2000. Many of their parts are interchangeable. A downside is the security. I can open the door and start the ignition of my friends civic and accord using my civic's keys.
Solution: We installed KILL SWITCH everywhere.

Thanks for replying. Other than older Honda's, any American small simple cars you would recommend, that has value and is reliable and not a tin can? What are the makes? Ford Fiesta, Focus, Chevy Aveo or the newer Sonic? It seems the American cars are beginning to make smaller cars to compete with Honda, Nissan etc- but are there American sleepers that are good? As mechanics what are the ones that you see see as lasting? PS= No word on the stolen car. : <

Finally good news- police called and my Honda was found, about 10 blocks from my house! I drove it home and it seemed ok- ransacked of course- but everything sounded ok and it hadn't been crashed, and no broken windows. I am so relieved. Still can't believe someone walks up with a key and can steal your car. Will get a Club tomorrow - since who ever took it, now will consider my car like a ZIP Car or something.
Thank you for replying to my questions and advice, I really appreciate it and it helped. Let's test my luck and see if I can get through Christmas without a car problema. Long shot I know.