Neighbor says his car has been leaking grease from the CV boot for several months now, has been vibrating at 25 mph- 50ish, only when accelerating.
(NO clicking on turns, or otherwise.)
Would it most likely be too late to "just" pack grease into a new boot at this point?
Is it more likely that the entire axle oughtta be replaced at this point instead, due to likely damage?
Or might the new boot and grease, only, still be possible?
2007 Camry, 160k
If a CV joint is broken, you feel it when applying power in a tight curve. If the car can travel perfectly in curves, with no excess vibration or clicking, it is likely the CV joint is salvageable.
It should be regreased and re-booted now! Waiting can just make the problem worse. Actually, if it has been leaking for 3 months, it should have been done when it was first noticed.
If it "just" slightly leaks grease but doesn't allow too much dirt to get in, you might have been lucky. A completely broken or detached boot which allows dirt a direct way in is the worst.
It is important that both grease and boot are re-newed. Renewing only one of those won't fix it.
