Need Quick Advice

[zengshengliu]

I just finished my oil change, was going to do the transfer case and differential, but found this on my front passenger side wheel.

And it has some dark green looking grease all over my oil filter
Is it something that would affect the safety of driving?
Should I take it to the dealer? Or is it better to have local shop check and fix it?

[ImStricken06]

it looks like it was caught early. so you could simply have YOUR axle rebuilt (boot, clips and grease)
but to be honest, it best to replace the whole CV-joint axle. this will run you about $200-$300 in total at a local shop for a NEW(remanufactured) NON OEM (good as oem) part.

ebay has these axles for around $100/shipped, so a local shop will be able to source this for around the same price(with their markup).
if you chose to repair the item, you will simply be deducted around $100. the labor will be almost identical.

[veery]

Just so you understand what you are looking at: The rubber boot, which is supposed to cover the CV joint on your half axle, has come loose at one end and slipped aside, allowing the rotating joint to sling the grease it is lubed with, on the surrounding area including your oil filter. The damage is on/in the axle and nothing around it has been affected except it is greasy.
Have a replacement axle installed as 5.56 advises.

[zengshengliu]

I don't know if this is related, but early this year, when I was at the dealership for inspection, they told me I need to replace right front lower control arm due to worn out ball joint. Will this cause the problem? Or is it just something that will happen to everyone?