Strange sound from engine bay, CV failure? (pics)

[eMacPaul]

I started hearing a noise yesterday, kind of a "shruf-shruf-shruf", at first I thought something was contacting one of the tires, but they were clear. I only hear it when I'm coasting, not when I'm accelerating or braking (or engine braking). I crawled under my car, and found oil on the passenger side of the front sway bar and around the axle. It seems to have a slight red tint, and isn't as greasy as motor oil. I'm guessing at a minimum this is a CV boot failure? Would that cause the noise, though?

http://www.viscerallogic.com/paul/img/CV/1.jpg

http://www.viscerallogic.com/paul/img/CV/2.jpg

[lowandslow]

Looks like the boot is torn open in the pic you posted no? Right below the clamp.

Grease out = bad cv joint either now or later

[eMacPaul]

You're right! This is all new to me, so I wasn't really sure what I was looking at; but now that you point it out, I see it. Thanks!

[schmiesus]

What ever you do not put a china shaft in the car if you're replacing it.

[fly300kts]

If your axle is OEM, call Marty at www.raxles.com
Great Guy, Great Service and Great OEM remanufactured parts

Phil