What happens when a CV joint fails?

agw_01 · 13 Nov 2006 at 15:20

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?

agw_01 · 13 Nov 2006 at 15:36

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.

agw_01 · 13 Nov 2006 at 15:49

merlin said:
If there are bearings missing - maybe they shot the boot open.

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 · 13 Nov 2006 at 15:52

Yep that's what I meant.

The rip looked around 1-2cm long. Didn't actually measure it with a ruler