My right rear axle boot is torn and I know I need to replace the axle shaft, but I was wondering what kind of noise I could expect to hear when it becomes really pertinent.

At this point I do hear a low kind of rumbling noise coming from the back of my car, but it comes on and off, mostly when i am just going straight at normal speeds and seems unrelated to braking or accelerating or coasting. Any ideas?

Thanks

One of the member wraped his split boots with duct tape to help prevent crap from getting inside (not my recommendation though) look for that post if you want to do this I believe there was a picture.
If you plan to buy new axles or exchange you old ones for a set of rebuilts it will not matter so much if wait until the get noisy.
If you plan to have someone rebuild your origional axles or just put on new boots you do not want to wait until they are noisy=no more lubrication.
The axles make various types of sounds that are often intermittant.
It is a pay now or pay later issure. Right now there are new (made in ????) axles available in the $70-$109 range and rebuilts for around $99.
You might check these threads for a place to buy and price.

new axles

240d Axle shafts?

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel