Most vehicles without a solid axle use a constant velocity (CV) axle to transfer power from the transmission or differential to the wheels. Even though they are not load-bearing, they’re still under lots of pressure and could go bad.
Damaged CV joints could either fail completely or damage any of the points they link to.
Knowing the common signs that one or more of your CV joints are faulty will help you address the problem before leaving you stranded or damaging something else.
Here are the top signs to be on the lookout for.
Vibration When Driving
Though tricky to pinpoint, hearing excessive vibration as you drive could hint at a damaged CV joint. However, you have to know how to differentiate the CV joint vibration from the regular bounces of the road.
The vibration, in this case, has a bounce. It is easier to notice when driving on a very smooth road. It doesn’t seem to go away and gets worse as you pick up speed.
Get your tires, suspension, and the CV boot inspected if you notice an abnormal bounce as you drive.
Grease Residue on the Inside Surface of Your Tires
The first step to damage a CV joint is a tear on the CV boot. A CV boot is a rubber seal that protects the joint from the elements. It also keeps the grease used to lubricate the joint in place.
When this boot is torn or loose, the grease will be exposed. Consequently, it will splatter all over the place as the CV spins.
This grease ends up on the inside of the tire and any nearby suspension parts. Once you see this grease, inspect the nearby CV and its boot. Chances are you will see a tear or damage.
Knocking and Clunking When You Drive
When the damage gets worse, you will start hearing a rhythmic clunking and knocking sound coming from your driven wheels.
If you hear this, the CV joint is far gone and probably damages other car components.
Stop driving as soon as you can and have a mechanic look at and service your CV shaft.
A Loud Click or Pop When Turning
As a CV joint ages, it fails to sit in its socket properly. It will shift ever so slightly when you turn the wheel (assuming it is on the front wheels.)
You will hear a loud click or pop as if something is pulling loose or being pushed back into a socket.
Smoke and a Misaligned Tire
If the problem is serious and the failure catastrophic, you could have a misaligned wheel as the CV pushes the affected wheel off.
Moreover, since rotation creates friction, the increased heat could start burning rubber components or some grease left on the joint. This could cause visible smoke.
What Happens When a CV Joint Fails?
If your CV completely fails when driving, the effects could be massive – almost similar to a puncture.
First, the affected tire will stop spinning and start dragging completely or slightly. If the other wheel(‘s) are still pulling, your car will start torque steering. It could also dive towards the damaged side, especially if the car were coasting without using a lot of power from the engine.
You will need some bit of finesse to safely steer the car, especially if it is a two-wheel drive. All-wheel drive vehicles could cope better with a single CV joint failure.
Is it Dangerous to Drive With a Bad CV Joint?
Yes. Driving with a bad CV joint is dangerous and honestly irresponsible. Things could go really bad when the joint snaps or comes loose as you cruise down the highway.
Moreover, pushing your car on a damaged CV boot will lead to more damage. You will end up paying more than you would have if you took in your car for repairs the moment you noticed the damage.
If you don’t have the money, you could even consider just parking your car until you can afford to repair it.
How Often Should You Grease Your CV Joint
You can keep on driving your car on a single filling of grease for years and thousands of miles before having to replace it.
Actually, it’s not unheard of for CV joints to stay intact for over 100,000 years – as long as the CV boot remains in place.
Things start deteriorating fast once that boot comes loose or is torn. Water starts seeping out, and grease flies out, leaving the joint exposed to friction and corrosion.
Can I Drive With a Torn or Displaced CV Boot?
You can still drive your car with a displaced or torn CV boot. However, you will be risking your entire drive shaft by doing this.
The main risk is losing all the grease and leaving your joint exposed. This will damage it fast, forcing you to get a replacement.
Please don’t push it. Get your damaged CV boot replaced as soon as possible.
Sometimes, the retaining tie might just have come loose. Any handy person can install a new one without even uninstalling the CV joint.
Just remember to have them add new grease before sealing up the boot again.
Can I Use a Plastic Zip Tie to Hold in a CV Boot?
While a plastic zip tie will get the job done, you will have to replace it more often than that if you used a metal tie.
CV joints spin fast and heat up as you drive. This heat will make a plastic zip tie expand, rendering an otherwise strong tie loose.
Metal ties are more resistant to hit. Actually, all CV boot kits will come with a metal strip tie. It doesn’t matter how fiddly the tie might be. Insist on using it for your CV boots instead of a mere plastic zip tie.
How Often Should I Inspect My CV Joints
In most cases, a CV joint failure begins with losing grease. This means you can arrest and address it should you see the grease leaks on time.
Since all you need is a visual inspection, duck under your car at least once a week and inspect your CV joints.
Ensure that all boots are firmly in place and not torn at any point. Also, look for any fresh (or old and unaccounted for) splatters of grease around your tires and suspension.
Take your car for a check-up if you notice any problem.
Bottom Line
Your CV joints will last over the warranty lifetime of your car if you take good care of them. You won’t have to worry about them if nothing impacts them as you drive.
It is the CV boot that is more susceptible to damage – especially if you offroad a lot. Stay vigilant. Don’t let a cheap boot damage your entire CV shaft – Well, unless your CV joint doesn’t have a serviceable CV boot.