If your car is riding rough, making a popping sound, or giving you screeching noises while accelerating, the problem might be a bad CV joint or CV axle. In today’s blog, we will look at what a CV joint is, what a CV axle is, and how to tell if yours are going bad.
What Is A CV Joint
A Constant Velocity (CV) joint is a part that is used in the drivetrain of most front-wheel-drive vehicles. It helps transfer power from the engine to the wheels. The CV joint looks like a ball and socket, with an inner and outer race around it. On one side of the joint, a boot covers it to keep dirt and moisture away from the internal components of the joint. The other side has an axle or shaft which connects it to the wheel.
The primary function of a CV joint is to allow for smooth turns while providing power from the engine to the wheels. This is accomplished by allowing for flexible movement in different directions. As you turn your steering wheel, for example, the angle at which your tires need to move changes along with it—something straightforward motion does not require.
What Is A CV Axle
Many front-wheel drive vehicles also use a Constant Velocity (CV) axle. It consists of two half-axles connected by a center spline and two CV joints on either end of the axle. Each CV joint's inner and outer races provide flexibility as you turn your vehicle’s steering wheel. This allows them to change their angle when turning without compromising power output or creating binding sensations during movement.
The primary purpose of a CV axle is to connect the transmission to each wheel while allowing for flexibility during turns and curves — something straight-line applications do not require from an axle assembly. Without this type of flexible connection between transmission and wheel, driving would be much more difficult as sharp turns would be impossible without considerable effort on behalf of both driver and vehicle alike.
Bad CV Joint Symptoms
One symptom that can indicate bad CV joints is excessive vibration or shaking when turning or accelerating that seems out of place with normal driving conditions, such as going over bumps or potholes in the road—this would indicate an issue specifically with your car’s suspension system due to worn out joint components or grease leaking from them entirely. Additionally, if you hear clicking noises coming from your car’s wheels while turning, this could also indicate problems with your car’s suspension system caused by bad CV joints.
Bad CV Axle Symptoms
Another symptom that can indicate bad axles is clunking sounds coming from underneath your car when shifting gears or accelerating quickly—this usually indicates an issue specifically with your car’s transmission system due to worn-out splines within them or grease leaking out entirely. Additionally, if you begin noticing increased vibration through your steering wheel when making sharp turns, this could also indicate problems with your car’s transmission system caused by bad axles.
GSP’s High-Quality CV Joint & CV Axle Solutions
Replacing a CV joint or CV axle can be quite intimidating and is often a job that is best suited for a professional. However, if you are mechanically inclined and want to save some money doing it yourself, pick up a GSP CV joint or CV axle for a direct replacement, upgraded solution.
Heat Treated - All GSP Axle components are heat treated to the highest standards to provide premium strength, increased tensile, and extended service life.
Quality Control - Our Constant Velocity lines undergo an extensive quality control process to ensure a long and trouble-free performance.
Grease - Manufactured with high-performance Moly grease for optimal performance at high temperatures and resistance to friction in the most extreme conditions.
Premium Materials - GSP sources only premium raw materials to manufacture its products.
