Tech tip: CV (constant velocity) shafts, primarily for front wheel drive car, and drive shafts for rear wheel drive. I will discuss 4x4 or all time 4 wheel next week....I am sure you are just dying to know. :) Anyway, a cv shaft has multiple rolls, sends power from the transaxle to the tires, flexible joints at both ends, and with one nut keeps the tire on the hub. As the front wheels turn the CV turns, and moves up and down with the movements of the car. Over the past 30 years the prices has fallen because more cars use CV shafts and greater availability. One end is in the transaxle and the other is through the spindle (hub) and bolts to the center of the tire. The CV has two rubber dust boots that contain grease, to lube and keep the internal parts, mostly bearings from overheating. However, if the dust boots rip, and they will over time, the grease is splattered all over. The damage is slow, without the grease the bearings will become dry and fail, again this is not acute. If you have front wheel drive and when the car turns, a clicking noise starts at the beginning of the turn and ends when the turn is complete, have the CV shaft checked immediately. The shaft has two joints with either ball bearings (older cars) or sealed bearing, the outer shaft, at the wheel is pulled and stressed during a turn. The clicking are the bearings are beginning to fail. The worst extreme, the clicking is louder, and shaft failuremis unavoidable, the shaft and the joint could separate, and the shaft will fall to ground or cause damage to surrounding components. My critics have said, Rodger that will never happen. My reply, Are you willing to bet your life on it. I will discuss drive shafts, and 4x4 next week. Hope my limited info helps and please refer to your owners manual or see your trusted shop. Sounds corny, You can pay me now, or pay me later. :)
Posted on: Sun, 02 Feb 2014 05:51:03 +0000
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