CV Axels
 

This may have been covered before, but I couldn't find too much on it. I had my car in the shop for a four wheel alignment yesterday. Just a precautionary measure because I put four new Yokohama dbs 2's on it. When I picked up the car, the mechanic said I needed left and right cv axels. I have had no vibrations, clicking noises, or any symptons. It drives straight and smooth. How do I know he was right. What should I look for? If I really do need them, where can I get them and what is a reasonable price for the parts and the installation.

i believe if you turn your wheel to full lock to the left (in my car anyway) or right and do a u-turn and listen for clicking...If there is no clicking then check to see if the boots are ripped...If neither one then i dont know anything else to look for cause mine are totally shot, just dont have money to replace them yet...Im sure some of Mechanical gods here can help you much more than i can just figured id offer what i could..

No noises and no tears in the boots may suggest the mechanic was doing his best to up-sell you into some "preventitive Maintenance".
I have replaced my half axles myself and it's not too difficult of a job, you will need to borrow a gear puller to drive the axle back thru the hub. Try one of the big chains, Autozone or Checker for a price on a reman half axle, it usually has to be special ordered but they will lifetime warranty it for you and it should go about $100 plus a core.
Good luck.

John Sullivan