CV Axles Topic is solved

[Messerschmitt101]

Hello everyone,

I took my car into an AAMCO today, since I had some concerns about how roughly my '96 850 was shifting. Got it back about an hour ago, and learned that my CV axle boots are busted, causing a leak of transmission fluid.

My first question is does that make sense? Though I like to think I have a good grasp on cars, this is new territory for me.
My second question is which CV axles should I go with? I am not willing to drop $450 on genuine parts from FCP, RM European has the axles in stock from a brand called DSS (any knowledge of them?), and I have seen one forum post on SwedeSpeed saying to go with AutoZone Duralast Golds or NAPA's in house brand.
Finally, are there any other bits I should buy? To the best of my knowledge the CV assemblies I am looking at have the boots installed (I will link them), but are there any washers or flanges (best word I can think of) that seal up the CV-transmission connection? Or is that what the boot is for?

Sorry for rambling a little bit, but I have a lot of questions about this.
Any and all help you can provide will be awesome.

Here are the links for the parts:
https://www.autozone.com/drivetrain/cv- ... 41_0_78655
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NMD951151

The SwedeSpeed forum post: https://forums.swedespeed.com/showthrea ... 1-CV-Axles

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[crlande]

Torn boots spray lots of grease all over, make sure it was trans fluid they saw leaking. There are axle seals on either side of the transmission where the axles goes into and that would be where trans fluid would come from.

[wizechatmgr]

If it was boots, you shouldn't be leaking ATF. Crlande is correct, you'll get grease flinging everywhere out of the CV joint with a broken boot.

[erikv11]

Pull the axles and repair the CV boots, do NOT replace the axles with any of those parts. CV boot repair runs about $15 per CV in parts but requires some time investment to DIY.

While you have the axles out, replacing the seal to the transmission is a good preventive measure and costs another $10/side in parts if you DIY. That's what seals up the CV-transmission connection (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... al-6843112).

I doubt AAMCO can do this job right, without crippling the vehicle.

[Messerschmitt101]

Pull the axles and repair the CV boots, do NOT replace the axles with any of those parts. CV boot repair runs about $15 per CV in parts but requires some time investment to DIY.

While you have the axles out, replacing the seal to the transmission is a good preventive measure and costs another $10/side in parts if you DIY. That's what seals up the CV-transmission connection (https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/volvo- ... al-6843112).

I doubt AAMCO can do this job right, without crippling the vehicle.

That's why I'm doing it myself.
And why I am asking for advice here (so that I don't destroy the car).

[Messerschmitt101]

I also wanted to pose this question: How would you know when it's time to replace the whole axle?

[crlande]

The dreaded clacking sound when making turns! The cv joint is shot at that point.

[erikv11]

Turbo or non-turbo? We can point you to the CV boots, GKN Lobro is the way to go.

[Messerschmitt101]

The dreaded clacking sound when making turns! The cv joint is shot at that point.

Okay awesome. That tells me that mine are fine.
The only clicking I've ever heard on my 850 was when the sway bar end links were shot (that was a fun day, one of the first things I did solo).

So it sounds like I can just get the boots and some grease and be able to do this.

[Messerschmitt101]

Turbo or non-turbo? We can point you to the CV boots, GKN Lobro is the way to go.

Non turbo, didn't realize I hadn't mentioned that.