What exactly is a CV Joint?

[91bluedx]

I tried to search on this topic to no avail and the other thread that is going doesn't answer my questions so I decided to go for the direct approach. Ok Basically my CV joints are going bad. A shop said that they would replace them for $400. What I want to know is: WHat exactly are the CV Joints? ( I know they have to do with my axles and I have a slight idea but more info would be great.) How are is it to Replace them myself? How much would it cost to do it myself and what would I need?

Any info would be great.
Thanks for the help
DJ

[91bluedx]

Sorry about the Spelling errors. Let me rephrase my question "How hard would it be to replace the CV joints Myself?"

[GTA]

I would just replace the whole axle , axles are around 70-80 bucks per side.

[Civic Jim]

is that for a geniune honda one?

i got quoted £250 which is about $398.75 lol, so i just got a pattern CV joint lol

[4g4d_getone]

its the whole axle assembly with the two boots it goes on to the hub assembly

[sastanley]

I don't think that $60 will get you an OEM axle...however, if you lay the two down together (your old one and the non-OEM one) you should be able to confirm they are exactly the same length, and the splines match up, etc..

I think since CV joints and axles go out so often, that is one of the few things that are not worth paying the extra $$ for OEM.

To answer the original Q, A CV joint is a Constant Velocity Joint. It is a joint in the axle that slides in & out (think of your fist clasped by your other open hand and turn them together) and allows your axle to stay attached to the hub/wheel etc. while it moves up/down/fwd/back/turns as you drive, and the tranny stays still. The most common failure isn't the joint itself, but the protective rubber boot which keeps all the elements out and all the grease in. When this cracks (from flexing in turns, age, exposure, etc..) water and junk gets in and the grease gets out. This then causes the joint to click & clack. By then it is already too late. Sometimes if you catch it as soon as it cracks (this is a good item to inspect whenever you do an oil change, and a mechanic recommended to me to spray the hell out of the boots with Armor All to help them stay soft and prolong life), you can change out the boot, but you still have to remove and separate the axle for a new boot and a shop will charge you about $100 even for this. So you might as well just get a reman-ed axle..There are plenty of rebuilt axles available, and as GTA said, they about $60

Edit- since my description isn't good and I can't draw..I found this exploded axle that shows the CV joints...Look at items 5 & 6

[FourthGenHatch]

$400!!!! HAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHA.

I can replace an axle in about 30 minutes. Its very easy. Do it yourself...

http://www.fourthgenhatch.com/axle.html

[GTA]

Originally Posted by civic 16valver

is that for a geniune honda one?

i got quoted £250 which is about $398.75 lol, so i just got a pattern CV joint lol

Nope, not from dealer... no point in buying everything from the dealer, especially something like cv joints

[civickiller]

really the most common problem is from the boot, shit over here the common problem is busting the joint itself. i know 2 guys in the last month that busted there axles, right at the joint like always

[91bluedx]

Hey thanks for all the information. SOunds like 400 is a little high ...I will look into finding some new axles and doing it myself. I am a smart 4th gen owner and I belive in doing it yourself so I am stoked that changing an axle isn't that difficult.

oh yeah, I had a shop build me a cat back system 2 1/4 in pipe...sounds fantastic..it is quiet but deep and it looks like a stock system just biggere and badder. It's nice!