CV Joints & Driveshafts
Your car’s CV joints are a collection of bearings and cages that are protected by the CV boot. Regular inspections of the boot will ensure it is sealed so no dirt or grime gets in to wear down your joints, which will provide you with a smoother ride.
CV Joint Service
If identified early, boot replacement can save you money, but it is still a labor-intensive operation. For joints that have gone an extended period without lubricant, you will likely need to replace the entire axle. In some vehicles, the CV joint cannot simply be replaced – the entire half-shaft will need to be replaced. The half-shaft is crucial to propelling front-wheel drive vehicles.
If your car’s CV joints or boots need to be serviced, you may want to consider having the service performed sooner rather than later to avoid further damage to your vehicle. The easiest and most practical path to an efficient and effective repair is to bring your car to a trusted technician.
Understanding Your CV Axle Components
The most important part of CV axle maintenance is inspection of the protective boots. Replacement of cracked rubber boots can save the higher expense involved in joint or half-axle replacement.
These components are constantly exposed to the ups-and-downs of the road you drive on. Despite this stress, these joints can last tens of thousands of kilometers, so long as the protective boots covering them remain intact. CV joint failure almost always results from boot failure, resulting in the loss of grease and the entry of dirt and moisture.
What Exactly Are CV Boots?
CV boots are protective rubber or plastic components that cover the CV axle. Their job is to provide protection from bumps on the road. With constant use, the flexible rubber fatigues over time. Ultimately wearing down, the rubber cracks and allows the lubricant out and dirt and moisture in. Meineke offers free brake inspections, which is the perfect time to also inspect CV boots.