You may know that your car is a complex piece of equipment consisting of many moving, non-moving parts and joints which function in collaboration to get your vehicle to travel from point A to point B. Transmission is a key element that controls the movement and performance of your car. If you have ever taken your car to an Edmonton transmission repair shop, the technician will first examine the CV joints of your car.
You may be wondering what they are and how are they relevant to your car. One of the most important parts of your car and a crucial component of efficient transmission is the CV joint. CV joints, or Constant Velocity joints, are a characteristic feature of front-wheel-drive cars which are located on both drive shaft ends (half shafts). The inner CV joints connect the drive shafts and the transmission, while the outer ones connect the drive shafts to the car’s wheels. Many rear-wheel drive vehicles and four-wheel drive cars, as well as trucks, have CV joints.
The CV joints help to transfer the torque from the transmission to the drive wheels at a consistent speed while managing the up-down motion of your vehicle’s suspension. Typically, there are two main types of CV joints: a ball-type and a tripod-type. Front-wheel drive vehicles use outer side CV joints while the tripod-type CV joints are mostly used on the inner side.
What happens when they fail?
One of the most common kinds of CV joint failure is when the boot of your car is damaged resulting in a grease leak. Like any joint, the CV joint needs appropriate amounts of grease to keep the friction smooth and functioning. If the grease leaks out, it paves the way for dirt and contaminants from the other parts of the engine, including dust to accumulate into the CV joints. This worsens the wear and tear of the CV joint, and your car will start showing visible signs of CV damage.
Some of the early signs of damage are:
- Grease on the interior of a tire rim
- Visible cracks on dents in the boot
- A characteristic clicking noise especially during turns which worsens upon acceleration
Why is it crucial to repair/replace CV Joints?
CV joints failure result in a breakdown of your vehicle’s axle. Your vehicle cannot move without repairing the CV joints. If this happens while you are driving, you are likely to experience severe consequences, sometimes resulting in a complete loss of control of your vehicle. Although broken CV joints need to be replaced, they cannot be repaired; you should consider getting the boot repaired as soon as possible. Usually, if you get it repaired when you notice first signs of failure, more expensive CV joint replacements can be prevented.
What if your CV joints fail in Edmonton?
If you are around the Edmonton area and experience symptoms of CV joint failures, rush to Alberta Drive-Line Rebuilders Ltd. Whether it is just taking care of your boot repair, replacing CV joints, or taking care of your driveshaft and transmission rebuild, our licensed, trained and qualified staff can help. Contact us today and schedule a service appointment and save yourself from costly repairs in future.