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 much should a CV joint replacement cost?
The price of a CV joint alone can range from $95 to $210. A replacement by a mechanic will cost anywhere from $165 to $800.
Whether you’re changing a double or single axle will mostly affect the cost. The cost of a double axle’s constant-velocity joint repair will be between $150 and $400, which is roughly twice as much as the cost of a single axle.
As a result, engaging a mechanic to complete the replacement will cost between $230 and $1180.
The brand and model of your car and how challenging the replacement job will be for them are additional factors. Naturally, the cost of the service will increase the more time they require.
Because this is a significant service, your mechanic or auto expert must also do a thorough safety inspection, paying particular attention to the boots and axles. There can be a leak from the CV boots if the tires have grease on them.
Additionally, if you turn and hear loud clicking noises, you might need to replace the axle as well.
What signs indicate a deteriorating CV joint?
Three indicators that your CV axles or half shafts might require repair
- a clicking sound When you turn the car, a damaged CV axle frequently makes a clicking noise.
- Driving difficulty. Our advice is to call a tow truck if you hear the dreaded clicking.
- ripped boots
How challenging is it to replace a CV joint?
You can certainly replace your CV axle at home, but using a jack, jack stands, and power tools will require you to be at least somewhat competent. The expense of replacing your CV axle will be relatively affordable if you already have the majority of the necessary tools installed in your garage at home. You can typically buy a new one for less than $100 at parts shops and online retailers.
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).
Can a fractured CV joint be used to drive?
The CV is sealed by a boot, although the boot is not damage-resistant. When this occurs, the joint will deteriorate and break down. Driving an automobile with a broken CV will worsen the joint’s condition and render it impractical. You run the danger of being involved in an accident.
Should I swap out both CV axles at once?
Since front-wheel drive (FWD) became widely used in the 1980s, constant-velocity (CV) joints have been around.
Most CV joints are found on front-wheel drive (FWD) cars and minivans, while some rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) vehicles also employ them. Because CV joints allow the joint to bend at a larger angle without causing driveline vibrations, they are frequently employed in place of U-joints. The speed of the shaft changes when a U-joint is used at an angle greater than a few degrees.
The cyclic vibrations increase with increasing angle. Depending on the application, CV joints can endure joint angles of up to 47 to 54 degrees without experiencing any vibrations. There are several different CV joint designs in use, but the majority of them have an outer joint with a Rzeppa design that has six balls that ride in races between the inner and outer joint housing. The balls rotate in a plane that is half the joint angle as the joint bends and always bisect the joint angle.
The balls are kept in position by a steel cage. As the cage’s windows deteriorate over time, the balls may start to pop and rattle as the car is maneuvered to the left or right. This results in a popping or clicking sound, which is a typical sign of a damaged CV joint. Noise and play in the joint might also result from wear or damage to the polished balls or ball grooves. Similar to wheel bearing oil, a special high-temperature CV joint grease is used to lubricate CV joints.
As long as the protective rubber or plastic boot that encloses the joint remains in place and doesn’t leak, the joints can endure a very long time. A ripped, broken, or leaking boot is typically the No. 1 cause of early CV joint failure. The centrifugal force produced by the rotating joint will cause grease to escape from even a tiny pinhole or hairline crack. The boot may leak if the boot clamps are loose, damaged, or absent. A leaky boot can also let in dirt and water, which can lead to wear and corrosion.
By the time the leaky boot is found, many CV joints need to be replaced because they are severely worn or contaminated. Despite the possibility of replacing CV joints and boots separately, the majority of professional mechanics and even do-it-yourselfers opt to swap out the entire halfshaft assembly for a remanufactured shaft. Reman shafts are already put together and prepared for installation. While some shafts have reground joints with larger balls, some have new CV joints.
In either case, replacing a damaged boot or CV joint is much quicker, simpler, and less messy using a reman shaft. With a preassembled shaft, there is also less possibility for installer error and comebacks. It is frequently a wise decision to replace both shafts at the same time on a high-mileage car with a damaged CV joint or boot. Because right turns are more frequent than left turns and are made at a greater angle, the right (passenger side) shaft frequently fails first. The right outer CV joint and boot therefore wear out first. A hub puller to separate the outer CV joint from the steering knuckle and wheel bearing, as well as a hydraulic press for older Asian automobile applications with press-fit wheel bearings, may be required special tools to replace a shaft.
Are CV joints and CV axles the same thing?
Two CV joints make up a CV axle (an inner joint and an outer joint). These joints allow the axle to accommodate the various travel conditions, such as the suspension’s up and down motion and cornering, while still transferring engine power to the drive wheels at a constant speed.
How is a CV joint checked?
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.
How many CV joints are there in a car?
Q&A about automobiles The inner joint connects the transmission to the axle, while the outer joint connects the axle to the drive wheel on each drive wheel.
Can a CV joint be harmed by a pothole?
A tire blowout or damaged wheel could happen in the worst-case situation if you hit a pothole. However, even minor collisions have a cumulative effect over time and harm your car: Wheel alignment issues Axles, struts, and shocks suffer wear and damage.