Drive Shaft experts?

[Guest mvdennis]

My car was recently diagnosed to have torn outer CV boots on both sides ... solution offered to me was to replace the drive shaft whic cost a lot of money, or to replace them with recon drive shafts for slightly less than $900 and comes with 6 months warranty.

Whilst that sounds less painful, i realised that over in UK our friends would simply replace the boot cover and get it done for less than $100, especially if there is no damage to the actual CV yet. However, my mechanic told me he don't have the tools to perform the operation and blah blah blah.

Does anyone here knows if there is any shop in Singapore that specialises in just repairing the boot covers for the drive shafts please? Many thanks in advance!

[Guest blackmercs]

CV - Changi Village? Sorry arh i sibei blurr in abbreviation thingy.

[Guest jtang]

My car was recently diagnosed to have torn outer CV boots on both sides ... solution offered to me was to replace the drive shaft whic cost a lot of money, or to replace them with recon drive shafts for slightly less than $900 and comes with 6 months warranty.

Whilst that sounds less painful, i realised that over in UK our friends would simply replace the boot cover and get it done for less than $100, especially if there is no damage to the actual CV yet. However, my mechanic told me he don't have the tools to perform the operation and blah blah blah.

Does anyone here knows if there is any shop in Singapore that specialises in just repairing the boot covers for the drive shafts please? Many thanks in advance!

I believe your car must be a front wheel drive...A or B class?

To replace the CV boot cover, the whole drive shaft assembly is usually removed. The mechanic is probably trying to save you the hassle & labour money by suggesting that the drive shaft be changed as well. though the drive shaft may appear to be well now. But the drive shaft joint has been exposed to dirt & dust by the torn CV cover for sometime (I presume), which will make it deteriorate very fast. When the drive shaft kaput, you will need to remove the whole assembly again...even the new CV boot cover.. hence double labour cost.

I learnt this expensive lesson in my earlier days with FWD cars...better to change the drive shafts too. If you intend to use the car for a few more years, get a new one. Recon ones last half the lifespan only.

[Guest mvdennis]

hey thanks for the quick response! mine's the B class ...

the car has been in pretty good shape except for this drive shaft issue and also the suspension problem ... other than these two (as if not enough) the car seems to be pretty ok!

i agree with your point about getting new drive shafts but at a cost that is almost close to $2K, the option of a recon part sounds a lot more pleasing ... still want to consider the option of replacing the boot cover if there is any workshop who could do that in singapore!

[Guest io5885]

CV - Changi Village? Sorry arh i sibei blurr in abbreviation thingy.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Constant-velocity joints (aka homokinetic or CV joints) allow a drive shaft to transmit power through a variable angle, at constant rotational speed, without an appreciable increase in friction or play. They are mainly used in front wheel drive and all wheel drive cars. Rear wheel drive cars with independent rear suspension typically use CV joints at the ends of the rear axle halfshafts, and increasingly use them on the propshafts. Audi Quattros use them for all four half-axles and on the front-to-rear driveshaft (propeller shaft) as well, for a total of ten CV joints.

Constant-velocity joints are protected by a rubber boot, a CV gaiter. Cracks and splits in the boot will allow contaminants in, which would cause the joint to wear quickly.

For easy reading n bros who like me. (dunno simi si CV boots except Changi Village Bryani n Nasi Lemak)

[Guest blackmercs]

CV - Changi Village? Sorry arh i sibei blurr in abbreviation thingy.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Constant-velocity joints (aka homokinetic or CV joints) allow a drive shaft to transmit power through a variable angle, at constant rotational speed, without an appreciable increase in friction or play. They are mainly used in front wheel drive and all wheel drive cars. Rear wheel drive cars with independent rear suspension typically use CV joints at the ends of the rear axle halfshafts, and increasingly use them on the propshafts. Audi Quattros use them for all four half-axles and on the front-to-rear driveshaft (propeller shaft) as well, for a total of ten CV joints.

Constant-velocity joints are protected by a rubber boot, a CV gaiter. Cracks and splits in the boot will allow contaminants in, which would cause the joint to wear quickly.

For easy reading n bros who like me. (dunno simi si CV boots except Changi Village Bryani n Nasi Lemak)

Kum sia very muchy

[Guest mvdennis]

Guys i found a shop that does this ..

http://www.streetdirectory.com/businessfinder/company_detail.php?companyid=27206&branchid=110186

called and was quoted $180 to replace the CV boot cover for both sides (only the outer section).

this is way cheaper than the $900 i was quoted to replace the whole blardy drive shaft! Will be heading down tomorrow and was told the job would take slightly over an hour.

[Guest jtang]

Good for you... But remember to tell the mechanic to regrease the CV joint, hopefully this will prolong the lifespan of the driveshaft. Update us the progress.

[Guest mvdennis]

ok guys, paid a visit to Elite and asked them to replace both the inner and outer CV boot covers ...

he told me the quote offered was only for the outer boot cover but if i wanna replace the inner ones too, he would be additional $30 each. that, he said was for the cost of the boot cover since the majority of cost was labour. i told him to proceed.

the mechanics were very knowledgeable, and less than 15 mins dismantled both drive shafts. as they removed the boot covers, they didn't just replace them and pour a bunch of grease in there ... they dismantled pretty much alll the bearings etc and when it was fixed back into the car, it was as good as new. very impressive

they also told me the outer CV was ok hence they didn't replace it as it was in perfect condition. good on them! \

only one thing, as they dismantled the CV joints, some ATF flowed out and they had originally wanted to pour it back it ... i told him to buy new oil to replace and they promptly did. no mark up on the ATFs etc and it was original Mercedes Benz ATF, not some aftermarket ones.

Very good, quite a clean workshop, and reasonably priced. will recomemnd anyone who neeed to replace steering racks or drive shafts to consider these guys

http://www.elitedriveshaft.com/contactUs.htm

[Guest chershen]

i am glad that you found elite. i have been going to them since the 90s.

they are the drive shaft expert and would not recommend you to pay more if there is no need.

i am glad that your issue is resolved. ( :

[Guest den]

Bro mvdennis :cheer:

Thanks for sharing....

[Guest mvdennis]

no problem guys ... glad to be of help.

[Guest Sanjay]

Suggest you seek a 2nd opinion so that you are comfy