Your vehicle’s axle and CV joint components are integral to the performance and drivability of your vehicle…

CV Axle Inspection, CV Axle Replacement, CV Boot Replacement, CV Joint Replacement

VOLVO, FOREIGN & DOMESTIC DRIVETRAIN REPAIR SERVICES: CV JOINT & AXEL REPAIR & SERVICE

CV joints, ALSO KNOW AS (constant velocity joints) are flexible joints that evenly transfer power from a vehicle’s transaxle or differential to the CV axle half shafts and then onto the wheels. There are several intricate parts that make a CV joint fun action correctly, but the two important parts – and the parts most likely to need servicing are the cage and bearings that give the joint its smooth flexibility, and the CV boot that protects the bearings.

CV joints are especially important for front-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles because the flexible ball-bearing construction lends to the vehicle’s drive axles. Because CV joints are equipped with roller bearings, they are able to transfer a constant velocity from the transaxle or differential to the CV axle half shafts. CV joints also transfer power while absorbing the up and down motion that naturally happens with the suspension components and tires rolling on bumpy roads with debris, and the left and right motion of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive steering.

Front-wheel drive vehicles have two CV axles in the front, rear-wheel-drive vehicles with independent rear suspension have two CV axles in the rear, and all-wheel drive vehicles have four CV Axles connected to the drive wheels. The CV axles are always connected to a transaxle and/or a differential, giving power to the drive wheels.

Since functioning CV axles and CV joints ensure that power is continually transferred to the drive wheels, a corroded, locked up or otherwise malfunctioning CV joint will often result in lost power transfer and CV axle failure.

SYMPTOMS YOUR CV JOINTS MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms when driving your vehicle, it may be time to replace your CV joints:

• Unnatural humming or clunking sounds coming from your vehicle when you are accelerating or decelerating with engine load
• A clicking noise that occurs when driving around corners
• A clicking noise when performing a sharp U-turn
• Noticeable vibrations were felt in the cab of the car, especially while accelerating
• A burning smell (this can be caused by a CV Joint leaking grease onto exhaust or brake systems)
• A visible broken displaced or cracked CV joint boot (you will be able to see this by simply looking under the vehicle and at the CV joint with a flashlight)

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GET MY CV JOINTS SERVICED?

Your CV joints are a critical component that keeps the wheels on your car moving, and you on the road. For this reason, we highly recommend a drivetrain inspection on the CV joint and CV boot components as a regular part of your vehicle maintenance routine. It’s relatively easy to visually inspect your own CV boot at home; simply inspect the exterior of the boot looking to make sure the boot is sealed tight and undamaged.

If you are concerned or experiencing any problems. bring your Volvo, foreign or domestic vehicle to MB Automotive. for regular steering and suspension maintenance checks. During these checks, our technicians will inspect your vehicle’s CV joints and boots, as well as your CV axle half shafts, universal joints, and 10 other critical steering and suspension components.

If you are experiencing unnatural vibrations, clunks, clicks, or any of the other symptoms outlined above, we highly recommend bringing your vehicle in for service as soon as possible since those indicators are a good sign your CV joints may already be damaged and on its way out to failure.

For more information about CV joints, or to make an appointment to have your drivetrain inspected, contact us at 631-328-5985