CV joints

The CV joints can have a long life. To make sure your constant velocity joint has the longest service possible periodic inspection is recommended. Despite how well you take care of your drive shafts and joints problems can still arise.

On high mileage vehicles replacement or diagnosis of CV joint problems may be necessary. These flexible drive shafts endure extreme heat and cold and suffer through the shock of hitting potholes at high speeds.

These parts sometimes called half shafts carry high torque loads around turns for thousands of miles. The information on this page will discuss how to take care of these parts that drive your wheels as well as some tips for diagnosis and inspection.

CV joints and parts

And out of all the components on the flexible drive shafts I personally consider the CV boot the most important. The CV boot is designed to retain the grease and keep the joint fully lubricated.

This part also keeps dirt and water out. When these half shafts are manufactured and the boot is installed and sealed no further lubrication is required for the life of the joint.

The CV boot is usually clamped on either side and periodic inspection of these clamps is important to the long-life expected from the joint.

A loose clamp or a small tear or puncture in the boot itself can not only allow grease to leak out but allow dirt and water to enter the joint.

Dirt and water reduces the lubrication properties of the remaining grease in the CV joint. After the boot is compromised the parts inside can be destroyed quickly.

Outboard joints tend to be exposed to more problems than inboard ones. Road debris can jump up and damaged the boots. This is another reason that periodic inspection is recommended.

CV joint diagnosis and inspection

A road test is probably one of the best ways to diagnose a problem with the constant velocity joint. A smooth road surface such as a parking lot makes a good testing area.

From a dead stop and having the wheels turned slightly to the left or right and then applying medium power can often re-create the noise that would come from a worn tripod or CV joint.

A visual inspection of the half shafts can also reveal problems. As mentioned above boots with small holes or tears or even loose clamps will sling grease on the surrounding areas. In most cases it is too late to save the joint depending on how long it was driven on.

The clicking and popping is often the most common noise from a flexible drive shaft assembly. Other noises can also be generated by severely worn parts.

When excessive clearance is developed from lack of lubrication clunking is often heard when applying power and in stop and go situations.

A humming or growling noises is also sometimes heard from a constant velocity or a tripod joint. In this case diagnosis can be a little more difficult because other parts of the vehicle can create the same types of noises.

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More information about manual drive train parts such as manual transmissions and drive shafts can be found on this next page. There are also a few more articles about CV joints.


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