Brother's 2009 Mazda5 front driver's side CV is making noise when he turns (maximum steer). How hard is it to replace? Does the OEM have to be cut to replace it with an after-market one?
Is it making noise when he turns the wheel while sitting still, or when he turns the wheel and then turns a corner?
Very little mileage in fact, which is why I was so surprised myself that the CV joint was making noise. I haven't jacked it up and checked yet, but I also suspect a torn boot.You probably just replace the half axle, which is usually about $100-150 in parts and maybe $200 max in labor if done by a mechanic. I wonder if a boot was torn. The CV joints shouldn't be going out yet on an '09 unless the mileage is incredibly high.
I found a bunch of CV half-shaft assemblies on Rock Auto for approx. $60. Is the stock shaft assembly a single piece and would have to be cut in half to install an after-market half-shaft assembly? Would I also need to buy a CV joint boot separately (approx. $10)?