How to Diagnose Problems With CV Joints

CV joints on a vehicle allow flexibility in the drive shaft. The joint itself is like a ball and socket. It's packed with grease, called axle grease, to help with lubrication. The joint is covered by a rubber boot. When the boot rips, the joint fails. However, it's not always easy to see or to know when a CV joint is failing just by looking at it. This is because the joint is often not visible from outside the vehicle. There is one sure-fire method, however, for diagnosing problems with CV joints.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Start the vehicle and allow the engine to warm up to normal operating temperature.

2. Drive the vehicle around the block.

3. Listen for a rattling or constant clicking sound as you are making your turn. This will only happen when you are making your turn. If you hear a clicking sound that starts when you turn the wheel hard to the left or right and stops when you straighten it out, your CV joint has failed. The clicking sound is the joint grinding on itself.

4. Listen for a knocking sound at highway speeds or vibration and feedback in the steering wheel. Although this could be an out of balance wheel, the next most likely problem is a CV joint that is failing and rotating on its own axis (or getting ready to).

References

• "Auto Repair For Dummies"; Deanna Sclar, IDG Books Worldwide; 1999

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