You can save some money by replacing a CV joint yourself, but it will take some mechanical know-how and effort.
It is advised that you get a competent specialist to complete the task if you believe it to be too complicated. Additionally, this may aid safeguard you from nullifying any motor plan or guarantee.
However, replacing outer CV joints is rather simple if you already have some mechanical knowledge. In South Africa, CV joints for your specific car are also readily available.
In This Article...
How long does a CV joint replacement take?
Depending on the vehicle and whether further repairs are required, replacing a CV axle typically takes one and a half to three hours. A CV axle normally lasts between 70,000 and 130,000 miles, although they should be frequently checked for corrosion. For instance, a damaged boot lets grease leak from the CV joint it guards, thus reducing the lifespan of the axle. To keep the expense of this repair down, it is acceptable to merely replace one faulty CV axle as opposed to both (or all four in an all-wheel-drive automobile).
Is it challenging to replace a CV joint?
When it’s time for a new CV axle, the majority of people will take their automobiles to the shop, but you can certainly complete the task yourself with some time, patience, and hard work. Do your study on your own vehicle to make sure you are comfortable with the work, but don’t be afraid.
What equipment do I require to replace a CV axle?
Equipment & Tools Required to Replace a CV Axle
- Hammer dead-on.
- Stands for Jack and Jack.
- a large mallet or hammer
- diagonal cutting pliers with a long grip.
- Pry bar or a puller for CV axles
- Set of sockets and ratchets.
Can one operate a vehicle with a damaged CV joint?
Constant Velocity (CV) joints attach the axles to the wheels in front-wheel drive automobiles. As the car is being driven, these permit the axle and wheel to flex (to account for turns, uneven surfaces, and more). The joint, however, is a weak link in the system. It requires lubrication and defense against dirt, dust, pebbles, and other foreign objects. The CV joint will eventually wear down and fail if the boot that seals it is destroyed because grease will leak out and contaminants will begin to grow.
Even while you’re driving, a severely worn-out CV joint could disintegrate, rendering the vehicle undriveable. You can completely lose control of the car. Driving while wearing a damaged CV joint is unsafe. Check for some signs of a failing CV joint so you can fix it before the car becomes unsafe to drive.
Do I need to replace both CV joints?
Does it make sense to replace both CV axles at once? No, it is not necessary; a CV axle that is in good condition does not require replacement.
What noise does a worn-out CV joint make?
Ans: In rare instances, uneven tire wear is to blame for this. Growling, screeching, and chirping noises are used to describe bearing sounds. This sounds a lot like a faulty CV joint sound, which is typically described as a clicking, humming, or growling noise.
Q: What does a bad CV joint sound like?
An incorrect CV may make loud clicks, pops, or clunks as the damage advances. When performing a tight bend at a low rate, grinding noises are produced by frequent brake noise at low speed (caused by damage to the outer CV joints). A damaged CV joint can also be felt vibrating the car’s floorboard and steering wheel.
When switching from drive to reverse, a worn-out CV joint also creates loud clunking noises, which are especially loud when speeding around turns. The rubber or plastic boots surrounding the CV joint may sound broken or cracked. A automobile may tremble or shake when accelerating quickly.
Q: Is it safe to drive with a clicking CV joint?
Ans: Making a clicking or popping noise when turning or making a sharp turn is a sign of a severely worn-out CV joint. Driving with a worn-out CV joint is possible, but there is no proof that it is safe or durable for a long time. The worst-case situation is CV joint failure, which will shatter the axle and finally prevent your automobile from moving. It is possible to drive for a time with a faulty CV joint, but it is not completely safe. The clicking sound is primarily associated with a damaged CV joint.
You should be aware that if you keep driving with a noisy CV joint, you could end up completely ruining the joint. As a result, you should be able to test CV joints.
Q: How long will a CV joint last once it starts making noise?
Ans: For a period of four to five months or somewhat longer, it might be safe to drive with a damaged CV joint. You should take your car to a mechanic when the six-month mark is nearing to have the defective part replaced or fixed. After six months, it is unsafe to keep utilizing the worn-out or injured CV joint.
For people who live in dry places with little rain, this six-month time may be completely safe for them. However, for those who live in wet areas, learning how to check a CV joint for play should not be an option. If you don’t know how, go to a mechanic before this time period expires, at least for the first three months, since it will be best to know how to do this on your own given the amount of sticky mud, rain, dirt, and even snow.
Q: What can signify that my vehicle has a tire or wheel bearing noise?
Answer: A loud grinding noise is a well-known sign of a damaged wheel bearing. A faulty wheel bearing is most likely to blame for any grating or grinding noises coming from your car’s wheel or tire. Usually, when your automobile accelerates, this noise gets louder. Most of the time, worn-out tires are mistaken for damaged wheel bearings when they make a growling or rumbling noise. In other instances, the faulty wheel bearing produces a high-pitched screeching or grinding sound in time with the rotation of the tires.
It is not a wheel bearing noise if the sound increases in volume while your car turns, but this typically happens when you turn in the direction of a wheel that has a poor bearing. Remember that a noisy bearing only occurs while you are driving. However, a poor tire noise will only adapt to the road’s surface.
Q: How much does it cost to fix a CV joint?
The cost of replacing a CV joint ranges from $90-$220. If you drive your car to the technician, this replacement will run you anything from $160 to 850. Your choice of replacement will affect market prices. If you only need to replace the one axle, the cost will be greater. The more unusual and expensive to fix your vehicle is, the older the model is since spare parts are harder to come by.
Q: What are the symptoms of a bad CV joint?
The most typical signs of a malfunctioning CV joint are the noises it makes when accelerating or decelerating, such as clicking, popping, and clunking. Driving while vibrating is another typical symptom. The car’s undercarriage may have grease from a torn boot or an oil leak. Once more, you’ll hear noises when the car turns; this is because the CV joint has become loose from overuse. Another extremely noticeable sign is excessive vibration while the automobile is moving.
What leads to a CV joint’s degeneration?
The main cause is shock loading, which occurs most frequently with independent suspension systems due to the typically constrained amount of travel. Shock loading, for example, occurs when a spinning wheel lifts off the ground and then lands forcefully. The driveline is subjected to extreme strain from shock loading, and CV joints are frequently the weakest link. This will result in a physical break in the CV joint cage or, less frequently, a shearing of the shaft itself. A CV joint will break under conditions similar to those seen when a 4WD starts to bounce or hop when negotiating an obstacle.
They wear out with time because they are a moving part. For instance, after installing a new raise kit, my HiLux’s CV joints, which have logged more than 285,000 miles, recently split a boot. Upon takeoff, I heard a clunking sound, and sure enough, the boot had split. In a subsequent essay, I’ll go through CV joint replacement procedures. Remain tuned.
In relation to raising your IFS 4WD Your CV joints will also be put under more stress as a result of this because the operating angle is significantly higher now. Installing a device known as a “diff drop,” which lowers the differential and decreases the working angle, is the most efficient solution to minimize this. I will have to check into this in order to safeguard those brand-new and crucial CVs.
How can I tell if the CV joint is damaged?
These are the five simplest ways to tell if your CV axle is damaged.
- An opening in the boot.
- Your wheels have grease inside of them.
- Turning While Clicking.
- Driving While Vibrated
How is a CV joint tested?
Go for a Test Drive
- Reverse the vehicle. After that, drive backwards in a circle while completely turning the steering wheel to one side. Repeat the operation by turning the steering wheel in the opposite way.
- There is a strong possibility that an outer CV joint is worn out if you hear a very noticeable clicking or breaking sound.