CV joints, or constant velocity joints, connect the drive shafts to the transmission to transfer power to the wheels. CV joints are absolutely essential for safe driving: if you suspect something is wrong with one of yours, make sure to get it inspected by a professional straight away.
There’s nothing that throws your morning routine off more than getting behind the wheel, starting up your car, heading down your driveway, and thinking to yourself What on Earth is that weird noise? Even though there are many possible causes, a broken CV joint is an important one to keep in mind.
Properly functioning CV joints are a key part of safe driving, and it’s important to know when yours are malfunctioning.
Jerry
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, is here with this guide on everything you need to know about your CV joints. We’ll explain what they are, why they’re so important, how to tell when they need repairs, and some great tips on how to score an average of over $800 a year in car insurance savings! What are CV joints and the CV axle?
First things first, what the heck are CV joints and the CV axle? In this context, CV stands for constant velocity. Their purpose is twofold: transfer power from the transmission to the wheels at a constant velocity (hence their name) and accommodate the up and down motion of your vehicle’s suspension system.
So, when you’re driving along and hit a particularly deep pothole and your vehicle doesn’t swerve off the toad, you’ve got your CV joints to thank.
CV joints are primarily found on front-wheel drive cars, but in recent years, they’ve also been utilized on rear-wheel drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles as well. CV joints are located at the end of the driveshaft and are housed on the CV axle.
In a front-wheel drive vehicle, there are four CV joints: two inner joints and two outer joints. The inner joints link the CV axle to the transmission, and the outer joints link the CV axle to the wheels. Four-wheel drive vehicles will have twice as many CV joints: a pair of inner and outer joints per wheel.
More specifically, you’ll find your CV joints inside a tightly sealed CV joint boot. This rubber boot is chock-full of grease to help keep the joints well-lubricated. There are two main kinds of CV joints: ball joints and tripod joints. Tripod joints allow for more rotation, while ball joints provide a greater linear allowance.
MORE: How to change ball joints
How to know if you have a bad CV joint
When there’s a problem with your CV joint, more often than not, the problem is with a rubber boot that houses the joint. If the CV joint boot cracks and the grease lubrication leaks out, the added moisture exposure can cause the CV joint to wear out faster.
Here’s how to spot a bad CV axle or faulty CV joints:
Signs of damaged CV joints
The first telltale sign that your CV joints have gone haywire is seeing grease leaking from the CV joint boot, also known as the drive axle boot. If the leak is more serious, you may also spot grease splattered on the inside of one or more of your wheels. Just grab a flashlight or headlamp and a mechanic’s creeper to get underneath your car to take a better look.
Another key indicator that your CV joints need some repair is hearing a clicking or popping noise when turning the steering wheel. That, and you may also hear a clicking noise that progressively gets louder when you either accelerate, turn, or shift gears. That’s because the part of the CV axle’s job is to not only transmit power to the wheels, but to allow them to turn.
Experiencing vibrations while you’re driving is also indicative of a CV joint problem. Your CV joints sit right next to your wheels, so if they’re damaged, you’ll be able to feel more of the road beneath you while driving.
We should also tell you that this isn’t the kind of car repair that you can put off getting taken care of. Driving with a damaged CV joint or CV axle is like driving a ticking time bomb: inevitably, the damaged joints will fly off the axle, and you could lose control of the car.
MORE: Why your car is vibrating or shaking
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Replacement cost for CV joints
When it comes to CV joint repair, it’s not the price of the part itself that will drive up the cost of repairs. CV joints typically cost between $95 and $210. If you’re feeling savvy and choose to replace them yourself in your own garage, that could be the only thing you need to pay for.
However, if you don’t have the best at-home garage setup (or just don’t feel like doing it yourself), you’ll have to take it to an automotive technician. While that can assure the job is done right, it also means that you’ll also have to shoulder the cost of a mechanic’s labor.
And, for CV joint repair, your mechanic bill can be anywhere between $165 and $800.
Despite how costly CV joint repair is, there’s still a silver lining (or two). CV joint failure is pretty rare—so much so that your OEM CV joints can last for the duration of your car’s lifetime. But if they do fail or need some repair, check your vehicle’s warranty first. Thankfully, CV joint repair is typically covered under a powertrain warranty.
Whether you do it yourself or go to a repair shop, take a look at your CV joints during an oil change to check for leaks. That way, you’ll be able to spot any visible signs of CV joint damage before it becomes a true safety hazard.
MORE: Car insurance vs car warranty: What’s the difference?
Find hassle-free car insurance
Even if you regularly check for signs of damage, there’s no true way to prevent damage to your vehicle. And when an unexpected car repair strikes, you can see a big chunk of your budget fly right out of your pocket. To help offset these expensive repairs, download Jerry
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