How important is a CV boot?

That was my first thought. Well, second after "Why didn't they recommend replacing it even if it wasn't obviously ripped? The cost would have been trivial."

I'm going to raise a polite-but-firm stink with them, but I was hoping to get some thoughts on the likelihood that they missed it v. the likelihood that they caused the rip in doing the engine pull/install. I can't understand how they'd lok at all four and miss it yet have it fail so completely so rapidly. It also seems to me that the boots would be subjected to a lot of flexing and extreme angles in pulling or reinstalling an engine/transmission -- much more than through normal driving.

Is it an inner or outer boot?

Ripping an inner is possible if care is not taken with the BAP used to pop it out of the trans.

An outer is more commonly a wear issue.

Inner.

Very possibly operator error with big a** prybar.

You will find out how good your dealer is.

My argument would be as follows.

If you did not cause it, and saw it, why in the hell did you not offer to fix it WHILE it was out, instead of pointing it out when the repair was finished, and MORE labor would be required to fix it....

Bad business...

See where it gets you.

RH

I always wince when I hear people - and usually people who know much, much more about cars than me - recommending vaseline for rubber parts. Petroleum products should never be used on rubber, it breaks it down. Silicone isn't fantastic either. With rubber, if you're not sure the best thing is just to leave it alone.

I have a whole lot of stuff to fix on my car over the weekend & coming week.. two outer CV boots, a steering rack boot, an exhaust leak and a drive belt. The car's only done 67,000 (kms, not miles) but it's an '86 so I guess some parts are going to deteriorate even if it had been sitting garaged the whole time. I can't afford to get anyone to do it, so I guess I'm going to have to learn

I've had a clicking/popping noise for the past month. I learned today that I have a torn boot. How long do I have until a potential accident occurs? I plan to repair next week when I have the funds. Hopefully I'll be safe for another week!