CV joint: common defects and their signs

1. Wear-out
   • Foreign sounds (whistling and crackling) are heard from the wheels during cornering.
   • If crackling is heard during straightforward movement, this points out breakage of the inner CV joint.
   • At start the car moves with jerks, clicks are heard.
2. Grease lifetime end
   • Body vibration is noticeable during driving.
   • Specific crackling sound is heard from wheels at turning of the steering wheel, acceleration or obstacle overrunning.
   • Jerks of the car are noticeable at movement start or acceleration.
   • Free movement of the drive shaft is visible during its rocking.
3. Tearing of the dust boot
   • Leaks of grease are visible on the tyre inner side.
   • Foreign sounds, caused by ingress of sand and other abrasive substances to the joint, are heard during driving.

How to replace CV joint?

At CV joint breakdown it should be replaced. This is better to perform it at a service station, as special tools are required for replacement of the part. It is recommended to install a new dust boot and a retain ring together with replacement of the CV joint.

For replacement of the car outer CV joint a specialist will lift the car with the help of a jack, demount the wheel, from the side of which works are performed, remove the brake disk and the caliper, the ball joint and the tie rod end. After this he will remove the CV joint dust boot and press out the CV joint itself using a special remover tool. Then a new component is mounted onto the drive shaft and unit assembling is performed.

The algorithm for replacement of the inner CV joint is slightly different. The car is set on a servicing pit or a lifting platform, after this, bolts fastening the CV joint are unscrewed from under the car bottom, the part is removed from the gearbox housing and the CV joint is removed from the drive shaft splines. Then a new component is installed and assembling in the reversed order is performed.