How to tell if your CV axles are going bad
The Constant Velocity Axle, or CV Axle, connects your wheels to the transaxle or transmission, allowing your vehicle to drive.
CV axles have inner and outer joints with a “boot” on each end. CV axle failures are usually caused by a broken or leaking boot, which is often followed by failing bearings in a joint.
How to tell if your CV axles are going
1. Worn Out Joints
When joints wear out, the symptoms will be obvious. If there’s an issue with the inner joint, you’ll experience vibration and noise during straight line acceleration. If you’re experiencing a loud popping or clicking sound when sharply turning, it’s likely an outer joint issue with the CV axle.
Note: This acceleration issue may also be caused by transmission or motor mounts. Check these if you’re having acceleration problems. If they are the cause, simply replace these mounts to make the repair.
2. Leaking Boot Issues
Boot issues can be identified with a simple visual inspection. During inspection, turn the wheels to all angles and look for cracked or split rubber and/or grease on either the outer or inner boot. A bad boot allows grease to leak out and debris to sneak in, ruining the CV joint bearings.
If a CV axle needs replacing, stop by your local AutoZone or visit AutoZone.com to get the parts you need at the right price. Remember when replacing CV axles, it’s a good idea to replace in pairs to help avoid future failures.
If the job is too big for you, seek out one of our Preferred Shops to help you do the job.
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