How to Replace a CV Joint

A CV joint is the part of the drive axle on a front-wheel drive vehicle that allows for a wrist-action type of movement. It allows power from the engine to be transmitted through the transmission and out to the CV axles and to the wheels. The CV joints allow power to the wheels while the wheels are turned left or right and up and down smoothly. It does this with the use of large ball bearings in a housing with grooves for the ball bearings. When handling CV joints they should not be pulled or stretched as the ball bearing can come out of their housing. If this happens, the boot must be removed and the ball bearings placed back in their respective housings.

Things You'll Need

• Floor jack Jack stands Half-inch air gun Set of half-inch sockets Set of 3/8-inch sockets 3/8-inch ratchet Long pry bar Hammer Set of wrenches Tie rod and ball joint remover Wire cutters

Instructions

1. Raise and support the vehicle on jack stands. Remove the wheels using the half-inch air gun and the appropriate socket. Take the brake caliper off by using a 3/8-inch socket (size is dependent on vehicle year, make and model) and ratchet and remove the two bolts through the caliper. Remove the caliper but do not let it hang on its hose.

2. Use wire cutters to remove the cotter pin in the bottom of the tie rod end. Place the tie rod remover in between the spindle and the tie rod and hit with a hammer until it pops up. Remove the tie rod end from the spindle and let it hang.

3. Remove the large axle nut in the middle of the rotor with the half-inch socket in the appropriate size (dependant on vehicle year, make and model) and air gun.

4. Remove the two bolts that run through the base of the strut using the half-inch air gun and appropriate socket. These are the bolts holding the strut to the spindle. When removed, use the hands and separate the strut from the spindle.

5. Push the axle for the CV joint out of the spindle. If it wants to be difficult, give it a few decent whacks with the hammer---careful not to damage the threads. If it needs to have a good hit put the large axle nut on upside down and turn it on until it is level with the threads.

6. Place the tip of the pry bar in between the transmission and the CV joint and give it a quick yank to one side and the CV joint will come out of the axle.

7. Place the new CV joint just part way into the opening in the transmission and with a fast shove push it home. It will click into the transmission. It is held in by a snap ring on the outside of the tip of the CV axle that entered the transmission.

8. Insert the outboard end of the CV axle through the spindle. Push the spindle back into the strut and insert the large bolts taken out previously. Use the air gun and the right socket to tighten the two nuts and bolts securely. Replace the remaining items in reverse order of removal.