I recently changed my Disks & Pads thanks to the excellent advice on these forums.  When I did it I found my outer CV gaitor was split & needs replacing.  I'm not sure if the CV Joint needs replacing too, but as the cost of the gaitor & the cost of the Joint & gaitor is only a few quid I thought it would be worth doing both.

I can't seem to find the right part unless I go to Ford & pay 10 times the price though.  I am told there are 2 differnet types of joint that "might" fit, but the number of teeth vary & no one seems to be able to tell me which 1 I need.  Do i really have to take off the old joint & count the teeth before I can order the replacement?

Any help gratefully recieved.

A stretch boot and a fitting cone can be had for less than £6. I’ve never had a bad one yet and they seem to last fine too. I’ve probably fitted a good 30 of this brand.

stef123 the boot isn't the problem, its the joint.  Ford quoted £292 + VAT for a Joint & boot only 1 left in the country apparently until more arrive from Cologne!  But I have been told I can get a non Ford one for £20-£60 + VAT, but no one can tell me which 1 I need for the outer (wheelside) drivers/offside for my fiesta (Fiesta 1.6 16V 74KW/100HP 2007 57 plate)?

I've given the part number I was given by Ford but still I can't be advised which bit will fit.

Why not just leave the joint as it as and stick a new boot on it?

Its making a hell of a noise when I drive it.  I don't really want to change the boot then find the noise persists I have to go back & change the joint.

I'm a total novice, don't know when I need to change joint & when I;'ll get away with just change boot?

Ah right ok I didn’t realise you were getting a noise too. Out of interest, what is the noise you are getting?

i take it you have contacted your local motor factors for a price? Ford price sounds like a full drive shaft. 

I have had a CV Joint go before on a previous car (not a Ford) & it didn't make the same sound.  This is a regular low rubbing sound, which gets louder, faster & higher pitched when accelerating.  No additional noises when moving on full lock.  Although i did have 1 occassion when I did have what sounded like the previous CV joint problem, while turning slowly on full lock about 3 months ago.

Originally I thought it might have been the brakes, hence the change of disks & pads but then when I found the split boot I thought it might have been the joint.  I have had the car since 2009 & the car has done 150,000 & hasn't had replacement boots or joints since i have had it.  To be fair, it hasn't had much replaced considering its age 7 mileage & general neglect!