I have a newbie question - I am in Houston looking at an '81 300D w/ 170K miles. Overall, it's in strong condition cosmetically and mechanically, save for a weak A/C. However, during a test drive, the right inboard CV boot fell off and the joint lost lubrication and started making noise.

It seems like all of the cars I've looked at have weak A/Cs, which is another issue, but I worry that the CV boot repair/replace will be difficult or expensive. Is that so, or are the boots and joints easily and cheaply rebuilt or replaced? I also noticed that the other CV joint boots were somewhat dry and cracked looking, although none seemed to be torn yet.

I guess what I'm asking is how much less is a car worth with this problem? We were at $3400 before the boot problem. Also - if I do buy this car, is it OK to drive home with an unlubed CV joint, provided it's about 20 miles in stop and go traffic? Texas people - does this sound like too much to pay for this car, or should I keep arm wrestling the owner down much further? Your thoughts please.

Thanks,

Charlie

It is unlikely that a re-boot at this point would gain you anything. Once fluid is lost and dirt can get in, they go pretty quickly. However that is not to say that the 20 mile drive home would not be do-able. There are a ton of threads here about CV joints and half shafts, use the search function. They are best replaced as whole half shafts, and range from $70 for cheap reconditioned, to $150 or so for good reconditioned, on up to over $300 for new. CVJ in Colorado has a good reputation and will be noticed in a lot of the threads as a reputable supplier of reconditioned half shafts. Actually even good used ones from a JY can work out pretty well if the $$$ are right.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

Thanks. I see there is another thread regarding CV halfshafts which answers a lot of my other questions about this procedure. It sounds like both should be done at the same time, which makes sense. Therefore, I will keep haggling with this guy to come down a lot further.

I did see Diesel giant's boot replacement tutorial, but he starts with the halfshaft already off the car. I once did a halfshaft replacement on an old Civic, and it was do-able.

Charlie

the car is overpriced by half offer him 1500 or walk away 26 year old cars with bad a/c in texas is useless? Look around on here buy from a member dont be in a rush the right car shows up

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)