Whats it mean when you're driving on Broken CV joints?

[PilotMojo]

Well-- I work @ a Chevy Dealership... and I had a mechanic shave my rotors... and he was telling me i have 2 BROKEN CV joints, and that im best off getting a new front axle...

Now what does it mean... and how easy it for them to break (completely)

Im only leaking the axle fluid or something...


Thanks,

[civickiller]

well without the grease in there, the axles could seize, like an engine without oil kinda. without grease it can weaken the axle. well axles are pretty easy to break, i say you get new ones and just keep the old ones in case you break the new ones racing or something. or you can buy new ones save them and put them in if your current ones break.

if it were me, i would buy and put in new ones, then just save the old ones just in case, because it would suck if your driving and your axles seize up on you or break

[PilotMojo]

Thanks man

[gunnmen01]

Usually if you get new axles you have to return the old ones as a core charge, if the boots are torn open your probaly better off replacing the whole axle anyway....


gunnmen01

[88_SC_CRX_Si]

More then likely the car would just stop going, even tho your giving it gas and in gear....

As far as a wheel falling off or anything like that, have you ever seen a Honda setting beside the road missing a front wheel. Other then a lug nut failure... hehehe

Like mentioned above, replacing the whole axle is the best bet in the long run. I drove mine something like 10K miles before swapping. However, I avoided driving it through puddles, ect... to keep water from flushing out any more grease... hehehe

[threethirteen]

you could probably keep driving on them until they start clicking really loudly...then you might want to replace them...in other words, you have time to save the money.. it shouldnt be way expensive though

[PilotMojo]

what kind of clicking...?? kinda lost by clicking...

[threethirteen]

when it happens, you'll know it. it will start off by making clicks when you turn, then eventually it will click always.

[jem7vwh]

If you're not familiar with Honda repair, let me welcome you to the world of CV Axles!

1. CV stands for Constant Velocity. It's the system that Honda (and many imports) use for that tight turning radium their cars are known for.

2. The CV Axle is the actual axle the front wheels use. Where the axle joins the wheel hub, there are a number of ball bearings packed in grease.

3. The CV Boot is a rubber enclosure that fits around the bearings and grease at the end of the axle. The Boot keeps the grease in, and dirt out.

4. When a CV Boot rips, this allows the grease to drip out of the cage, leaving just those metal bearings to rub against each other. As the grease drains, the bearings will rub and begin to cut into each other and the axle. This creates little "ruts". When the bearings get caught in these ruts, they'll stick and finally pop out, causing a "click" sound while you turn. As the bearings and axle become more marred by ruts, the clicking will get worse and worse.

5. Some people will tell you that you can drive as long as six months on torn CV Boots, until you basically can't stand the clicking sound any more.

BUT, if you take the car in the first time you notice the clicking, it's often possible to save the axle, and only replace the CV Boot and grease.

[Trae]

Is the CV bearings what people are referring to when they say the bearings need to be repacked?

Thanks