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This has got me pondering. Does your friend have routine maintenance done? I mean, almost any oil change business does a "free X point safety inspection". A torn, missing, or loose cv boot should have been noticed a long time ago. These things don't just happen over night. Hint: new car dealers usually have quick lanes. Yes, they want to up sell service, that's why they do the checks for free. But during routine service, you will get a fairly reliable assessment that you can take to the mechanic you have developed a relationship with. Apparently she doesn't have a shop she knows will take care of her, otherwise she wouldn't have had to call around. The internet is our friend; she could have got the shops rating with a simple Google search. Point is, she needs to be schooled about car care. For most people, their second largest investment is sitting in their driveway. Take care of it.
I agree with the shop not wanting to give an off the cuff diagnosis; people get emotional enough about car repairs without building on their fears. A fifteen or less minute pressure check and they should have had the problem nailed. An "almost inaccessible" part is most likely a freeze plug or heater core. The big question is why were they under the car to find the alleged axle problem? Free safety check? If not, I smell a rat.
It didn't take me very long in my mechanic career to move to private fleet - the motoring public is nuts!
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