CV joint problems

CV joint problems

Is your car bouncing all over the place when you’re driving on even roads? Is there an irritating clicking sound as you turn the steering wheel? These are both signs of a potentially serious problem with the joints on your car’s CV axle.

Constant velocity (CV) joints, also commonly referred to as inboard and outboard joints, are located on both ends of the car drive shaft. They enable the shaft to transfer torque from the transmission to the wheels while allowing the driven wheels and the suspension to respond to changes in road conditions, i.e. bumps and potholes.

They play an essential role in maintaining a constant speed as the angle between the car transmission and wheels changes. The two main types of constant velocity joints are the ball-type joint and the tripod joint. The former consists of a series of steel balls contained in a metal cage, whereas the latter has three roller bearings connected to its body. Both types are designed to allow smooth movement in all directions.

If there is too much play in the joints due to wear, it could cause the CV axle and other components to vibrate or shudder when accelerating and cruising at high speeds. However, there are other more common causes of this, including damaged wheels or tyres, bad bearings or damaged front or rear engine mounts. A proper inspection will be necessary to determine the problem.

These joints require a lot of lubrication to operate smoothly. The CV boot keeps the grease contained and contaminants out. If grease is lining the wheel wells and leaking onto the edges of the tyres, it is likely due to a busted boot. The quicker it is replaced, the less likely it is that the joint will get damaged.

One of the common signs of a bad CV joint is a bouncy vehicle. For instance, if you’re driving on a flat road surface and the vehicle is still bobbing up, down, and all around, there’s a good chance that the joint needs to be replaced. These parts play an important role in ensuring smooth driving and minimising vibrations.

You may hear an abnormal clicking or popping noise from the front wheels when you turn the steering wheel. This issue tends to get worse with time. If the noise is more obvious when turning at lower speeds, it could be due to the outboard joints. If there’s a CV joint noise when driving straight, it’s likely that there is a problem with the inboard components.

If left untreated, a broken CV joint can damage the CV axle shaft, particularly the splines, due to increased vibration and stress or loose parts.