5 Symptoms of a Bad CV Joint
Constant velocity joints are the constant velocity joints in your vehicle. They are responsible for transferring power from the vehicle’s transmission to the wheels without creating a lot of friction. This allows the driver to turn the steering wheel and have the wheels respond smoothly to their needs.
Constant velocity joints are an essential component in nearly every vehicle, whether it’s front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive. This means that a faulty CV joint should be a cause for concern for drivers of any type of vehicle. 5 Most Common Symptoms of a Defective CV Joint
When a CV joint goes bad, it will have noticeable symptoms. Below are the 5 most common signs of a failed CV joint.
1) Vibration
When a CV joint is damaged or worn, it will cause vibrations while driving. The vibrations will get worse when you step on the accelerator to increase speed.
When driving too fast, it can impair your ability to control your vehicle, putting you and other drivers on the road at risk. Instead of continuing to put people at risk, consider the initial vibrations to be a warning sign that the CV joint needs replacing.
2) Grease the wheels or tires
If the vehicle’s bellows is damaged, it can leak out grease. As the axle continues to turn, this grease will jump onto the edge of the wheel or tire, resulting in grease on the wheel or tire.
3) Knocking noise
An easily recognizable symptom is a knocking noise that comes from the CV joint if it becomes too worn or damaged. It comes from the inner joint in front-wheel drive vehicles, and the inner and outer joints in rear-wheel drive vehicles. If you want to check for yourself if this is a CV joint, put your car in reverse and then step on the accelerator. Try going from deceleration to acceleration. The noise should get louder. If this is the case, you may have a bad CV joint.
4) Loud noises when turning
If you hear a loud “crackling” noise when you turn your steering wheel, a faulty CV joint could be the cause. Depending on the severity of the condition of the joints, you may need to replace the entire shaft assembly in addition to the CV joints.
5) Bumpy ride
Under normal circumstances, your vehicle should be perfectly stable when driving on a paved road that is perfectly flat and free of bumps and potholes. However, if your vehicle bounces on such a flat road, it is likely due to your suspension and possibly the CV joints.
Have a mechanic check your suspension components, including the CV joints, to confirm that this is the problem. Don’t leave it alone as bumpy roads can make the condition worse.
