What happens when a CV joint fails?

agw_01

agw_01

agw_01

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Just had a call from the garage where my car is, and have been informed that when they went to change the CV joint, some of the bearings were missing from the joint.

No wonder it was making noises :eek:

Although to be fair, the boot has been split since May and I've not exactly gone easy on it.

So, what could have happened if the joint had failed completely? Could the wheel have locked up?
 
Well I don't think they can lock up your wheels - I think with a catastrophic failure the joint breaks so there's no drive on that wheel.

Might be wrong mind....
 
Ahh, so nothing that could cause me to lose control of the car then.

Was getting freaked out for a minute there. Can't wait to go and pick the car up... he always keeps the parts for me to have a look at, so I can see if the bearings actually did decide to part company with the joint.
 
The cv boot kept falling off a company Mondeo i had a few years ago, garage kept putting it back on till i couldn't be bothered to take it back, eventually i lost drive when pulling away with a loud clattering noise :p

Reminds me of the 214 i had that did the same, 'cept that was the gearbox :o
 
Sometimes the boot goes's because the joint has failed - sending something through the boot case. Then no grease, then it all gets worse.

If there are bearings missing - maybe they shot the boot open.
 
Its best to get them replaced before they are completely broke as the old units often need to be exchanged for new ones at motorfactors etc as most are re-manufactured and if they are damaged beyond repair you may be charged a surcharge.
 
merlin said:
Sometimes the boot goes's because the joint has failed - sending something through the boot case. Then no grease, then it all gets worse.

If there are bearings missing - maybe they shot the boot open.
Click to expand...


Not sure, was a company car, so wasn't going to look at it myself/couldn't be arsed, i think the boot just didn't fit properly so just kept slipping off, till the joint went dry and failed, it didn't help at the time i was on full lock pulling away..
 
if the joint failed you would get an immediate very strong vibration through the steering wheel, if the joint failed totaly you would loose drive on that wheel, but if you were going at a fair rate and the cv exploded ( it has on my race car) you might end up loosing the driveshaft through one of your wings.
 
merlin said:
If there are bearings missing - maybe they shot the boot open.
Click to expand...

Interesting. When I first realised the boot was split, the tear was only small... ball bearing sized.

I had been getting slight noises under acceleration for a few weeks before I noticed the boot.
 
agw_01 said:
Interesting. When I first realised the boot was split, the tear was only small... ball bearing sized.

I had been getting slight noises under acceleration for a few weeks before I noticed the boot.
Click to expand...

The bearings inside CV joints are quite big, say 7mm-13mm.
 
CV joints certainly can lock, it happened on my Rover 213 and dragged me forcibly to the side of the road. serves me right for "nursing" it for 3 months eh? :D
 
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