Can I drive my car with this problem?

You're okay to drive it. That is the boot over the constant velocity joint (known as a CV joint boot). There are two on each side of the front, one inner and one outer. Normally the outer boots fail first because they flex so much in steering. It is a very common failure, as they have a life expectancy of 5-10 years... hot climates are worse.

You will want to avoid splashing through puddles or stirring up a lot of dust, but on ordinary roads you're fine. The remaining grease is effective until it is contaminated with dirt or water. If the grease gets contaminated and the joint wears it isn't the end of the world, it just decides how the failure is repaired.

There are two ways to repair it. It is possible to replace the boot itself if the joint is okay, but most often the whole drive axle is replaced - it is usually more cost effective. The old one is rebuilt for resale. A typical aftermarket price for a drive axle over-the-counter is around $100 US, and the labor usually adds another $200 or so. Labor costs vary rather widely. It is desirable to replace both sides at the same time if you can afford it, since the other side is as old and has been subjected to the same conditions (unless the exhaust is near the bad one). However, there is really no cost saving to doing both together, just convenience.

Mike

excellent post! yeah, even if the grease gets washed out and the joint begins clicking when you turn, you probably would have weeks before it actually failed. Start shopping and saving your money - but there's no rush.

Carl

Thanks for this post because it's directly affecting mine and my mom's Subaru's. Her's is a `95 Legacy L wagon while mine is a `01 Outback Limited Wagon. She was told last time at the dealership that it was of high importance to replace the CV boots because they were starting to seep and leak, but were no cracking or shredded as this posters was. When I had my oil changed the dealership also told me that mine were in the same condition with small seepage and leakage in that I needed to get them replaced for a cost of around $250.

I didn't realize what a CV boot was or how the vehicle would be affected without it. Thanks for this very insightful information.

Brad

The right hand side inner (closer to the transmission) boots fail unnecessarily often on this vehicles, due to the location of the exhaust components and lack of proper ventilation. Poor design, no excuses, just as the noisy lifters, etc. etc.

In my wifes 03 (60K miles) and my friend's 01 (72k miles) the same boot failed.

My 94 Nissan Maxima had a w> I've recently (about a week or so) started to smell burning rubber

Thank you all for the input. I am bringing it to a mechanic on Tuesday. He will clean up and inspect the axle and joint to see if its good. If its ok, he'll replace the boot. If its not, he'll do the axle too.