My '98 Rodeo has developed a very bad vibration above 65 mph, and thinking it's the tires I took it to the tire/repair shop from which I bought the tires for a rotate/balance.

They called me back to report that both CVs are bad- boots split, dry as a bone. I obviously haven't been taking care of it (been busy?), and am chagrined to find out what I've let happen.

However, I'm not convinced that this is the cause of my vibration. Wouldn't these joints, always turning, be exhibiting vibration at every speed? I'd think I'd notice it long before it got really bad.

Thanks for your help!
gsh

I wouldnt have them install new cv's, thats pricey. I am too not convinced that that is not the problem. I would think more along steering components, like tie rods, or even bad tires. I would just have the boots changed and put new grease in

how many miles do you have?

kevan

It has almost 99 thousand. What do you think the expected life span (w/split boots)should be?

Thanks Kevan
gsh

Before the are unrepairable or till the brake/explode?

In my old Honda I ran with bad CV joints till they rattled on every turn and they never broke off. That was for about 2 yrs of driving as a teenager.....im now MUCH older!!!!!

Wiki

Hey, that's how mine are now. Cept now I shoved some grease in them so they wouldn't rattle. Been running them through the mud with no boots for 8 months now.

I'm about 99% sure thats not the cause of your vibration. I would find a new shop. When cv's go bad they make a clicking noise, starts when you are turning, but changes to all the time, and starts at real low speeds. Front end vibration at 65 sounds like tires out of balance. Or out of round, or wheels bent, or alignment off, worn out steering parts...but I'd be real surprised if dried up cvs could do that.

Im running a passenger side CV joint that sounds like a a ratchet at high speed even on the slightest turn on my city beater Toyota Camry. Its been like that for about 3 years and 23k miles. And I dont baby it either. I only paid 300 for the car 5 years ago, its been stolen, radio ripped out of the dash, hit on, beat on, bashed, backed into and even spray bombed while parked down town in a pay lot , in the middle of the day! That is why its my down town city car!