Dave,

Several things could be going on here. The boot as you call it is the
boot, and the joint is the CV joint. If the boot rubber is torn, and
nowadays with the crappy aftermarket boot quality, it frequently is,
you will lose grease. You can probably identify the grease by its very
dark color. If you have a torn boot you need to remove the axle and
repack the CVs while you're in there.

When you pull the CV joint at look at the axle flange sticking out of
the transmission, you'll see at the center a small disc about an inch
and a half in diameter pressed into the center of the flange. That's a
seal the keeps transmission fluid from pouring into the boot and CV
under driving and cornering forces. It's cheap and really easy to
replace. Pry it out with a pick or small screwdriver and tap a new one
in. If it's bad you'll see transaxle fluid slung all over the place.
If it is this problem, be sure to check the fluid level.

The third possibility is that the seal(s) to your axle shafts are
leaking. If this happens you will see drips down the transmission and
probably on the floor. This is not a difficult nor expensive job to
do. I have written it up in detail in the archives and probably have
it as a word doc somewhere. The hard part, which is easy if you know
the tricks, is pulling the old oil seal out of it seat. I drill it and
use a slide puller to screw into the holes and yank it out.

Let me know if you need more detail.

Jim
>
> Second matter:
>
> When I was under the van changing the oil, I naturally, as always, looked everything over for leaks and such. �Well, I found a leak, at the joint where the passenger side axle connects to the transmission. �What are that joint and its boot called? �Anyway, the joint and boot are greasy and dirty, and a drop of oil adheres to a metal flange there. �The same joint on the driver's side appears dry and reasonably clean. �So, what is my next step?
>
> Thanks to all. �DMc
> --
> David McNeely
>