What Is A CV Axle?

You may have heard the term CV axle before in reference to your car but aren’t entirely sure what it means. Here’s your answer, from A1 Automotive Center in Eustis, FL, as well as a guide to determining if yours need replacement.

Front-wheel drive vehicles (and some rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles) require a special axle to transfer motion from the transmission to the wheels. On any vehicle, the suspension allows the wheels to move up and down independent of the rest of the car, to absorb shock. This, coupled with the inability to mount the transmission directly in line with the wheels, and the need for the wheels to be able to turn, means that the wheels can’t be driven by a simple straight axle. Front-wheel drive axles are built with CV, or Constant-Velocity, joints. These joints make it possible for the transmission to drive the front wheels, smoothly and reliably, by permitting a range of motion through the use of bearings. In short, CV axles make angles and axle movement possible.

So how do you know if yours needs to be replaced? Typically. It’s a pretty easy diagnosis. Most commonly, an axle will go bad when there’s a tear in the rubber boot that covers a joint, allowing the grease to fall out and dirt to come in. When the joint begins to wear out, there’ll be some play in the bearings, which usually isn’t noticeable in a straight line. Especially when turning while accelerating, the axle will make a ticking or clicking sound which coincides with the speed of the vehicle. Other symptoms may be grease on the inside of your tire, vibration which worsens with speed, or rattling and jolting while driving.

While failing CV joints can sometimes last a while, it is a problem that’ll only get worse and puts other components at risk. It’s best to get a faulty axle or joint fixed sooner rather than later since it will fail eventually, leaving you stranded. At A1 Automotive Center, our team of expert mechanics is qualified and ready to work on any transmission, in any car, truck, or SUV. If your car needs a CV axle or joint replacement, or any other maintenance or repair, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our professional technicians only use high-quality parts and only provide high-quality service. Call or come see us today at A1 Automotive Center.