CV joint

CV joint

The movement of the engine is transmitted to the wheels through the transmissions or bearings. However, this system cannot be rigid, since the wheel is in constant movement for the freedom that the suspension allows. In this way it is able to absorb the imperfections of the road. The CV joint is in charge of possible perfectly transmit the turning force to the wheels without any part being damaged.

To get an idea of what would happen without CV joints, imagine that the wheel is turned by a rigid axle welded to the hub. The only move he could make is the turn. Neither go up and down with the suspension, nor change direction in the case of the front wheels. The result would be a vehicle that could only move longitudinally, with zero adaptation to terrain.

Rotation transmission in any position

In addition to these movements, the transmissions also have to continuously maintain the ability to turn the wheels, regardless of if they are rotated or in any position of the suspension travel. For this reason, the constant velocity joint has the purpose of joining the wheel to the axles without losing traction and without the transmissions suffering any damage.

Union of the CV joint to the wheel, covered by the bellows

There are different types of CV joint (Type Glaencer-Spicer, Rzeppa, Thompson, Tracta or Tripoid), although the purpose of each of the types is the same. The most used is the Rzeppa type, consisting of six caged balls in an assembly capable of transmitting motion from an inner core to the outer casing. This acts as a ball joint, which allows you to change the angle of the axis that reaches the wheel.

CV joint by balls
Related article:
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The importance of lubrication and the bellows

Having so many moving parts, the CV joint has to be oiled at all times to prevent friction and subsequent wear. That is why it is protected by means of a bellows, which is nothing more than the rubber coating, inside which is the fat. It is usually cone-shaped with an accordion-like fold, as you can see in the image above.

Keeping this system oiled is not only important to prevent wear. If it is not well lubricated, spin would occur with excessive energy losses. With what the cost of fuel of the car would be much higher than necessary.

CV joint failure

In case of transmission bellows rupture, all the grease that keeps the CV joint lubricated will be lost. If this happens, it is necessary to replace the bellows with its corresponding grease as soon as possible. It is important to keep the bellows in good condition, otherwise we will damage the CV joint and we will have to replace it with a new one.

CV joint pack with bellows, clamps, grease and other components

Early detection

In order to detect the breakage of the bellows early, it is necessary to pay attention to whether grease under the car, next to the wheel. It is also common to see on the rim if it is not covered by a hubcap. If you do find this problem, you can remove it yourself or take the car to a garage. In case you decide to do it on your own, the price of the parts is usually around 50 euros, except in especially expensive cars in the premium segment.

Easy to find packages with everything you need (image above), although you will need more tools. If you take it to a workshop, that price can be doubled or tripled for the labor used by a professional. We recommend that you opt for the second option, unless you have knowledge of mechanics and your own model.

Related article:
How to remove the CV joint of our car

late detection

If for whatever reason you have not arrived on time and there is no longer any fat that allows the problem to be detected early. The most common is that you hear a characteristic noise caused by the friction of the parts CV joint without proper lubricant. When you start to move the car you hear a 'clack clack' which increases in pace with the speed of the car. In this case, stop immediately and call a tow truck to take it to where you can fix it.

If you have reached that state more parts may have been damaged and that you have to replace the drive shaft or drive shaft. Especially if you have made a long trip without having detected the problem or have driven on difficult terrain that increases the friction of the joint parts. In these cases, the invoice varies a lot from one model to another, but it is not uncommon to find invoices of more than 500 euros. Note that the transmission is connected on one side to the output of the differential and on the other to the wheel hub, so to carry the movement from one to another is composed of several elements.


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      wilson monteya said

    I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN A TOYOTA COROLLA 97 I'M DRIVING IT IN D AND SUDDENLY IT DOESN'T GO WITH GEAR AS THE GEAR IS LOST AND I MOVE IT TO ANOTHER GEAR THEN I PUT IT IN D AND IT STARTS IT DOES IT TO ME EVERY TIME THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT STARTS YES CAN SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS DETAIL.

      MIGUEL said

    I HAVE AN EXPLORER THAT IS PARKED AS WITH OPEN WHEELS...OPEN FROM BELOW...
    WILL THEY BE THE HOMOKINETICS..??? I APPRECIATE YOUR SPECIALIZED COMMENTS. THANK YOU. MICHAEL

         Gabriel said

      Hello, CVs have nothing to do with what you are seeing on the wheels when you are parked.
      Take it to the workshop and have them check it up, I don't think it's important or expensive, greetings from Uruguay

           DAVID said

        THE SAFEST THING IS THAT YOUR CAR HAS CAMBER AND AN ALIGNMENT IS NECESSARY

      CARLOS ALANIS said

    I need to use a CV joint for a non-automotive transmission. My question would be at what maximum angle does it perform well and at what maximum revolutions. can be submitted without problems. This application will not be in a dirty environment such as the automotive one. I even think I put it under an oil environment, I wouldn't need a bellows to protect it.

      marvin said

    i have a mazda mx3 car how do i make it two wheel drive at the same time

      Francisco Sanchez Banuelos said

    I have a chevy bagoneta and at the time of starting it and turning it squeaks my question is if it is the constant velocity joint or is it something in the hydraulic direction

      SILVINE said

    GOOD MORNING, I'M SILVINA, I CHANGED THE CV JOINT OF THE GO 98 AND NOW IT PULLS WHEN I ACCELERATE, YOU CAN SEE THAT THE PULLS COME FROM THE WHEEL ON THE SIDE THAT WAS CHANGED, I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GIVE ME AN IDEA OF WHAT IT MAY HAVE AFFECTED AND I LOVE IT THE INFORMATION IN THIS NOTE

      Alcides Caceres Duarte said

    I have a '98 Toyota Corolla and when I turn the steering wheel it usually makes noise, but not every time. Must be the CV joint, right? I think he still doesn't lose fat on that side.

      Sonia Vega said

    Check I have a river 5 that when braking makes a noise like Rose, we changed the pads and it still has that problem.