How to remove the CV joint of our car

The CV joints of our car are one of those parts that are easy to forget, but which are key to its operation. If they break or wear out, it is very important remove them soon to put new ones in their place. Failure to do so may cause more serious damage to the transmission of the car and even get to be left lying on the road.

Su mission Its the transmit the rotation of the shaft to the wheels whatever the position of the car's steering and shock absorbers. That is to say, without them, the axis that turns the wheel would be permanently welded to it and would prevent us from turning the steering wheel or the suspension from doing its job properly.

How to know if it is damaged

When a CV joint is in poor condition, usually hear a click of blades when cornering. A symptom that usually indicates that the damage is already irreparable and that it must be replaced with a new one. However, if we are attentive, we may detect the problem before reaching this point.

A very common reason why a homokinetic deteriorates is because has lost lubrication. That is why it is convenient check the condition of the bearing bellows periodically, to see if they are broken or misplaced. The mission of the bellows is to keep the grease or valve in the joint, so if there is a leak, you will see stains on the rim or on the bearing.

Do it yourself or in a workshop?

To replace this part you must have some mechanical knowledge. Keep in mind that in order to extract it, you usually have to partially disassemble the steering and the brakes. some components vital to car safety that it is better to touch a professional. For this reason, from Actualidad Motor we suggest that you take your vehicle to a workshop to have the CV joint changed.

If you still venture to change it on your own, here we give you some basic notions so you don't screw up. However, each model may have its own peculiarities. So there may be some parts that don't quite match.

What do you need to change the CV joint

Make sure you have all the necessary tools before you start playing anything. You wouldn't be the first to get left in the middle of a job because something is missing and he has to bog it down until he gets it. The most common is that to remove a constant velocity joint and the pieces that there are until you reach it are:

• Un mechanical easel to insure the car. A jack is fine to change a wheel, but to do mechanical work it is better to secure it more with one of these elements.
• wheel bolt wrench
• Key 30mm to remove the hub nut. It better be long to be able to make enough leverage
• Key 18mm for suspension nuts
• pressure clamp to hold on the other side while we loosen the nuts
• Key 17 mm for the nuts of the address terminal
• Un polyurethane hammer o rubber. Failing that, you can use a metal hammer with pieces of wood or the like. Any material that you can interpose and that does not dent where you are going to hit.
• New CV joint kit, which must have: clamps, bellows, grease, CV joint. Do not buy just any, look for the right one for your vehicle.

Basic steps to follow

Step 1 - Loosen Bushing Nut

• To change the CV that is damaged, the first thing to do is loosen the hub or stub nut. Since it is very tight, you will need a long wrench to pry with enough force. Also, if the car is front-wheel drive, you will have to have the brake pressed to block the wheel. You can ask someone to help you do it while you work. Although there are also people who leave it pressed with a bar or similar.
• When the nut moves, don't remove it at all. Leave it loose because before releasing the mechanism you will have to remove the wheel.

Step 2 - Remove Wheel

Remove the wheel. This process is best known to any driver with some experience. Raise the car with a jack and fix it with the easel. Remove the screws by loosening them in the typical star order.

Step 3 – Remove Components

• Remove the steering terminal bolts. It may get stuck even though you've removed the fasteners. 3 in one or the like to loosen the screw if it resists. If you do, remember to wait a few minutes after applying it for it to penetrate.
• Fully loosen the hub nut and remove it completely.
• release the brake with a wrench and vise grips. To remove the CV joint from the disc, just pull. This is how the drive shaft with the CV joint will be released so that you can work on them. Don't let the brake drop because you could cause the hose to break and the savings you are looking for by doing this work yourself would go to waste. Let it rest on an object high enough so it doesn't get damaged. A stool or an upside-down bucket can do the trick.

Related article:

Car brakes, how do they work and what types are there?

Step 4 - Remove CV Joint

• To remove the CV joint you must first remove the bellows. Release the clamps with the help of a screwdriver. If necessary, use a hammer to release the locks using the screwdriver as a chisel. Once you have rolled up the bellows, again use the hammer to disengage the joint, hold the drive shaft and hit the joint to the other side.
• Remove the bellows and clean the bearing well. so that no traces of old fat remain.
• remove the insurance in the form of an unclosed ring, which is inserted in a groove at the end of the bearing.

Example video tutorial:

Step 5 – Put new gasket

• Put the new bellows in the shaft and secure it with its small clamp in the same place as the old one. As it is shaped like a conical accordion, you will be able to roll it up so it doesn't bother you while you work.
• Take the new CV joint and fill it well with the grease from the kit. Start with the hole in the center and when it is full, sprinkle the rest taking care that everything is well covered.
• Go back to put the insurance into the end of the drive shaft and insert the new grease filled gasket. To completely attach it, use the polyurethane or rubber hammer to give it a few blows on the end. You can also interpose a block of wood or aluminum and use a normal hammer.
• Rotate the joint in all possible movements so that everything is completely covered with fat. Add more if you see that it is missing somewhere.
• Place the wide part of the boot over the CV joint, but be careful not to get grease on the rim so it doesn't slip later. Secure it well with big clamp.

Step 6 – Reassemble

Then it only remains to reassemble everything in reverse order. If you are not familiar with the components touched on in this step, the best thing to do is take a picture of everything you disassemble. So when you go to ride it again, you will have a clear idea of ​​where everything is going.