CV Axle

Put a stop to problems like rough riding, grinding axles, and lost engine power with a new CV axle from AutoZone. We sell top-notch replacement parts from trustworthy brands like ACDelco and Duralast, so you can rest easy knowing that you have a smooth drive ahead of you. Buy online and get free next day delivery or pick up your parts in an AutoZone near you.

If your car vibrates while driving or clicks loudly while turning, it might be time for a new CV axle. Here at AutoZone, we have CV axle replacement parts that are engineered for your vehicle to meet or exceed OE performance. We’re so confident in them that we offer a limited lifetime warranty.

AutoZone makes finding the right part easy. Just enter your vehicle’s year, make, model, and engine up above, and we’ll take care of the rest. If you drive, say, a Subaru Forester, input your Forester’s information. We’ll find parts that fit your make and model perfectly. If you drive something other than a Subaru Forester, it works the same way. No matter what make and model you need a CV axle for, you can get the right part at AutoZone.

You might not know what a CV axle is, but you’ll notice when you’re driving on a bad one. Put simply, it is an axle that can transfer torque at an angle thanks to CV (constant velocity) joints. What is a CV joint? It is a joint consisting of steel balls held in place by a cage. These balls are held in contact with what’s called an inner ball race, which is essentially a large gear that can keep contact with the steel balls at various angles. The joint is lubricated with grease and sealed inside of a rubber boot that keeps grease in and contaminants out. This joint allows the axle to transfer torque from the engine to the wheels consistently, even when the joint is turned at an angle.

CV axles were built as front wheel drive vehicles became more common. Front wheel drive vehicles originally used axles with a cross shaped metal pivot between two carriers like on four-wheel drive vehicles. These early front axles could not apply consistent torque to the wheels, leading to power loss.

The most common problem for CV axles comes when you have cracked or loose CV boots. This can happen the joints on either side of the axle, but most commonly it happens with the outer CV joint. Without the boot to hold the grease in and dirt out, the joint will lose its lubrication and wear out over time. As the axle wears, you may notice a grinding or clicking noise, particularly while turning. If you catch it early enough, you may be able to re-grease the joint and replace the boot before the CV axle is damaged. Driving on an axle with a torn boot for too long will wear out the joint, making a CV axle replacement necessary.

Bad CV axle symptoms include loud clicking when turning or accelerating and harsh vibration when driving. If the boot is damaged, grease can accumulate on the inside edge of the tire, on the drive shaft, or other underside components near the boot. You can learn more signs of worn CV axles here. If you’re experiencing CV joint noise or any of these symptoms, stop by your local AutoZone or order a new CV axle online. We offer free next day delivery or same day in-store pick up.