Sounds like the mechanic failed to tighten the axle nut sufficiently, or installed the cone washer incorrectly resulting in a stripped hub. Axles rarely fail like that without giving SEVERE warning - which any mechanic with half a brain would have seen.

 

If you can do brakes, you can verify that the hub is stripped - just take off your hub cap, and see if the axle nut spins when you try to take off in drive.

 

I would call that mechanic you took it to and complain - try to get a refund or something.

 

GD

Ok, so I took it to a guy locally that had the best price from the yellow pages, $190 for parts and labor, considering it was 97$ for the new axle... I'm thrilled. Was a very nice guy, it runs, no more grinding noise...

 

Question though, he told me the left axle boot was leaking, anything I can do to prevent it from going bad or will I just have to replace the left axle soon too?

 

Also, seems when my dad first bought the car, he put 2 rebuilt axles in it... I'll have had the car for 2 years come this February, I suppose rebuilt axles don't last that long...

Ok, so I took it to a guy locally that had the best price from the yellow pages, $190 for parts and labor, considering it was 97$ for the new axle... I'm thrilled. Was a very nice guy, it runs, no more grinding noise...

 

Question though, he told me the left axle boot was leaking, anything I can do to prevent it from going bad or will I just have to replace the left axle soon too?

 

Also, seems when my dad first bought the car, he put 2 rebuilt axles in it... I'll have had the car for 2 years come this February, I suppose rebuilt axles don't last that long...

 

see previous comments on axle quality.

 

The boot, it depends upon if it is leaking or cracked. If you dont have the money to fix it now, let it go. If you do they can either replace the boot with a split boot, or replace the axle. It really depends upon the condition of the boot.

 

nipper