What is a CV Joint and How Do I Know If It's Going Bad?

Just because we may not have heard a term before though does not mean that the part is not important. This is likely the case with the CV Joint. Not everyone knows what it is and fewer still likely know what it does but it is important to our cars.

In this article we are going to learn more about CV joints, what they are, how we can tell if they are going bad and how much it can cost to fix the issue. This is not an insignificant part and when issues arise you really should make sure to get them repaired.

What Is a CV Joint?

The Constant-Velocity Joint, better known as the CV Joint, is a mechanical coupling that allows shafts to rotate freely. You will most commonly find this joint in front-wheel drive vehicles where they are used to transfer the power of the engine to the drive wheels.

Their main function is to perform this task despite the angle of the driveshaft varying due to the operation of the suspension. Without this joint you would experience backlash and friction as shafts try to work together while the suspension moves.

How Do You Know the CV Joint Is Broken?

With this joint hidden largely from view below the vehicle you need to be aware of the signs that may indicate there is an issue with this part. This involves largely being very familiar with the running of your vehicle and recognizing changes.

A Knocking Noise During Turns

This is likely one of the most common indications that you have an issue with your CV joint. While you are taking a corner and accelerating out you may experience a knocking sound. This sound may indicate that the joint is not properly lubricated or may have worn out.

This sound may get progressively louder over time as the issue worsens and if it becomes very loud then the part may have completely failed. The early noises may be hard to notice but this just illustrates the need to listen to your car for any new sounds.

The sound has also been described as a metallic screeching that, as previously mentioned, seems most prevalent as you are accelerating out of a corner. If you start to hear this it is likely time to get the part checked out and potentially fixed or even replaced.

Vibrations

There are many issues with a car that can result in vibrations and this is yet another to add to that long list. Again these may start out as subtle vibrations as you are driving but can reach a point where they make driving almost impossible.

This is again a case of as soon as you feel the vibrations start you should try and diagnose the issue and get it repaired. A non functioning CV joint can really affect your car's ability to drive, especially on rougher roads that cause more suspension movement.

Steering Issues

You never want to reach this point when it comes to a faulty CV joint because this means you have likely ignored the noises and vibrations and your joint is about to fail. If you are having issues turning your car then it may be related to the CV joint.

There are many other possible causes for steering issues but if it is the CV joint that is at fault here you ultimately may find that you can no longer move forward or backward once it completely fails.

Signs of Grease Leakage

If you have been hearing noises and feeling vibrations it may be time to look for another sign to help confirm your suspicions. A failing CV joint will often be leaking grease from its boot and this can accumulate under the car or even on the top of the tires.

There should be no reason to see grease on your tires and if it has reached this point then you are likely looking at a replacement instead of a repair. Dirt, dust and water can get into the joint causing the grease to be washed out.

General Car Control Issues

We have mentioned cornering with a bad CV joint but we must also remember that the suspension can move when we are driving in a straight line as well. If the CV joint is not functioning correctly we can also have issues with controlling the car as we're attempting to drive straight.

Excessive bouncing on a road that is straight and smooth may be an indication of a broken CV joint. Knowing your car and your most commonly used roads you may notice a change on certain routes that will indicate the CV joint is failing.

Where Is the CV Joint?

Now you know the signs of a bad CV joint you should probably learn next where this part is located. It is found on the outer part of the suspension on the drive wheels. You will have to look behind the brake discs and the wheel hub to locate these joints.

Two-wheel drive cars will have one of these joints on each drive wheel and obviously four-wheel drive vehicles will have one on each of their 4 wheels. It is covered with a CV joint boot which can make it hard to see the joint itself although if you can see it then the problem is pretty advanced as the boot has worn out and the grease is likely all gone.

Can You Drive on a Bad CV Joint?

To a certain extent you can drive on a bad CV joint and in fact we often do until the signs of a problem become undeniable. Once we know we have a problem however we should not ignore this issue for much longer.

If the part completely fails it can cause damage to other components including the axles. If your axle fails this can be a very costly repair in itself.

How Much Does a CV Joint Cost to Replace?

On average CV joints cost around $150 - $850 to replace when you use a mechanic or technician to perform the repair. Depending on the make and model of your car the parts alone range from $50 - $150.

When you factor in labor costs this can add between $100 - $700 to your repair bill. There are also several other factors which can affect the cost of this kind of replacement and we will address these in the next section.

What Affects the Cost of a CV Joint Replacement?

Who Does the Work

If you have the skills and tools to make this repair yourself then it will be a lot cheaper and should just cost you parts. Otherwise you will find that a mechanic will be cheaper than a trip to the dealership.

You can shop around for quotes on the replacement and you may find some real bargain options. Remember however you get what you pay for in this world so cheap does not always mean good. Make sure your mechanic has a good reputation and reviews.

The Type of Car

Cars vary greatly and as a result the costs to repair them can also fluctuate wildly. Some vehicles may have an easier CV joint setup to replace than others which will make the costs lower. Large vehicles usually have higher repair costs based on the more extreme labor needs required.

If you have a large, heavy or rarer car type you are likely going to be paying closer to the top end of the average CV joint replacement costs.

Cost of the Parts

The cost of parts depends on the vehicles they will be affixed to so again larger vehicles or rare cars will have more expensive cars. You can also often choose between original factory replacements or off brand more budget options.

Quality matters because although cheaper parts will work fine they will not last as long as a quality brand replacement. You may find yourself spending more over time because of multiple replacements when one quality unit might outlast two or three budget options.

Extra Repairs

If you leave the CV joint too long before you replace it you may find that other parts may also need replacing at the same time. Allowing the shafts to work against each other without the input of the CV joint for example may cause damage to them.

Mechanics often find that after a complete failure of the joint that other aspects of the suspension may need repair and replacement. This will drive up the costs so bear this in mind if you are considering waiting to get this issue fixed.

Conclusion

The CV joint is very important in transferring engine power to our drive wheels. Without this joint to help damper the effects of suspension the shafts involved would not work smoothly together. As a result the power will not be correctly transferred and friction may even make it hard to turn the vehicle.

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