In the CV joint (abbreviation for constant velocity joint), the CV boot is what holds all the lubricant to keep it functioning properly. The boot provides housing to keep all the grease and other lubricants that protect the CV joint from wear and rust. Without the CV boot, the constant velocity joint will quickly deteriorate and then you’ll be up for a large repair bill instead of a simple boot replacement.
The boot of a CV joint can easily be damaged. This is most often caused by road debris or simply age. When the boot is in poor condition it can tear and rupture. This will lead to the expulsion of grease around the joint and causing it to fail. In the worst-case scenario, when constant velocity joints break, you’ll lose control of the car and it may be difficult to steer.
The CV joint should be a part of the checks performed during a car service. When you book in for any car repairs, they should give the entire cv shaft a check over to make sure that everything is running as it should. For any services, you can call Lube Mobile and our mobile mechanics can go through the checks they need to complete on your car as a part of their standard servicing.
Lube Mobile is your local mobile mechanic and we have been operating for over 30 years. We have serviced thousands of CV joints and we exactly know what you’re looking for and how to make sure your car is running in the best condition possible. We have vans operating across Australia in all major towns and cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane. For a complete list of the areas we operate in, please feel free to check our website, or call us on 13 30 32.
How do you check a CV joint?
One of the easiest ways, or certainly a sign of an early problem, is that when you perform a U-turn. If you hear a clicking sound when you turn, it might be a warning sign. Find an area where you can complete several U-turns and try to replicate the noise. Then park the car in a safe spot and check underneath the car.
With the help of a small flashlight check around the CV boots. These are cone-shaped rubber covers that go over the joints. On most cars, you should have four of them. Start by checking the side that you hear a noise from. Use the flashlight and look for any grease spots. The boots should be free from any grease, if you see anything there may be a leak or split in the rubber.
A split in the rubber seal of a joint is a sign that the boots are worn and need replacing. If the problem has been caught early enough all it might need is a boot replacement and the refilling of lubricant around the joint. To protect your car, the boots should be replaced immediately and a mechanic will check over the joint to make certain that no further damage has occurred.
What are the symptoms of a bad CV joint?
Any part of your car going bad is never a good sign, but when that part caters to the car’s movement, such as steering or the axles, it can lead to huge problems. One of the best ways to stop this from happening is being aware of the noises, smells and sounds of your car. The minute that something does not seem right, it needs to be checked over by a professional. If you have trouble getting your car to a mechanic, this is where hiring a mobile mechanic like Lube Mobile is perfect.
Some of the classic signs that your CV axles and joints are not performing at their best are:
-
Knocking
sounds from the wheels
-
Clicking
or loud sounds when turning
-
The
car feels like it is bouncing rather than a smooth ride
-
Grease
on the wheels or tyres
-
The
car is vibrating more than usual
Any of these signs could be a sign that your joints are not working as well as they should. You can perform a check on the CV joints yourself to see if there are any visible signs of wear. But, in many cases, it is best to have a mechanic check them for you.
How hard is it to replace a CV joint?
Unless you're a skilled mechanic, it can be best to leave the repair of a CV joint up to a professional. As they are easily damaged if not installed properly and can require special tools to get all the parts removed and replaced. In most cases, it can take a few hours to replace a constant velocity joint properly. The cost will depend on the type of car you drive and the availability (and expense) of the parts.
For many vehicles, the cost of the replacement joint is not excessive, but the overall repair can take around two-three hours depending on the complexity of your car. Any mechanic should be able to give you an estimate on the cost of replacing the constant velocity joints on your car.
Having a skilled mechanic fully examine the CV joint, CV axle, and CV boot will give you a good guide for what parts need to get replaced and what is okay to keep going. With some cars, it may be cheaper (and more worthwhile) to replace the entire assembly. When you hire Lube Mobile, we can advise you on what your best options are, and how to proceed with your car repairs.
