The shaft coupling is a mechanical part whose main task is to transmit torque from one shaft to another. There are quite a few different types of coupling shafts. In it, you certainly cannot ignore the CV coupling shaft.
FWD vehicles using CV coupling won’t be easy to control the car when any part of the coupling has problems. If Cv joint noise when driving straight, find the cause and solution in this article.
Causes Of CV Joint Noise When Driving
If you find that the CV joint is making noise while driving straight, one thing is for sure, and the CV joint is not in top condition. Vibration during acceleration is also a sign of CV failure.
However, shaking is also a sign of more severe problems. For more information, you can check out “Why is my check engine light flashing and car shaking?”.
Back to the article, here are the three most basic causes of CV joint abnormalities:
CV startup error
The most obvious sign of a faulty CV boot is grease leaking from the CV boot through a tear or a crack. Oil can penetrate various parts of the vehicle, including the chassis.
When you accelerate forward motion or turn sharply, CV joints will inevitably make noise because of a lack of lubricating oil and being influenced by external factors.
Because the CV’s flexible rubber outer shell plays the role of protecting the joints from water and dirt while keeping grease and oil lubricated the joints. External physical impact, internal corrosion will cause the protective shell to be damaged and cracked.
Do not lubricate the CV joint
If you find that your CV shaft is not rotating at its average speed and shows signs of being subjected to too much friction, it is most likely due to a lack of lubrication.
Because your CV joint needs oil to operate smoothly every time it rotates. Too much friction in the absence of lubricating oil will cause whenever you start the engine, noise will appear.
Broken starter clamp
Boot clamps help fix CV boots. If the starter clamp is loosened or the clamp is removed, debris and dirt will quickly adhere to the CV joint, hindering the joint’s movement.
Of course, when the joint cannot move smoothly, a rattling sound will appear.
How To Fix CV Matching Noise When Driving
Once you understand the causes of CV noise while driving, start to fix the problem according to each sign:
Startup Repair
If you find boot cracking, replace the boot with a new one before the problem gets worse. As for the CV joint, if there is no damage, you just need to lubricate it with grease to make the joint work better.
Replacing the starter is the fastest and most economical way to solve the problem. If you don’t know the replacements, don’t worry, the mechanic will help you.
However, what you have to spend to replace the starter is much cheaper than replacing the entire shaft. Therefore, it can be said that repairing the startup is still one of the economical and straightforward ways to fix the noise.
Coupling lubrication
You need to check the condition of the coupling regularly. If you decide to change the rubber cover, usually, the body comes with lubricant for you to lubricate the collar.
Even if you don’t replace the rubber cover, you can actively lubricate the coupling when you detect a growing noise as you accelerate.
Replace CV coupling
When the starter is severely damaged, or the CV joint is too old or worn out, you need to replace the coupling with a new one.
However, CV joints are not sold separately. You may have to replace the entire CV shaft. Replacing the whole CV shaft is quite tricky and expensive.
The only advice for you is that when you detect abnormal CV noise, find a way to solve it as quickly as possible. Absolutely do not let the CV joint have severe damage that cannot be replaced.
FAQs
Driving with a damaged CV joint is not only noisy but can also be life-threatening. So don’t waste your time going through some frequently asked questions related to CV matching.
How long is the service life of CV joints?
Normally, the CV joint would move, driving the car for a total of 180,000 miles.
However, the above figure is only an average estimate. High-quality coupling will have a longer service life. Besides the transmission condition, how you maintain the vehicle also affects the life of the joint.
After the CV joint makes noise, how long is the service life?
In the first 4-5 months, since the CV joint makes strange sounds, you need to repair and overcome the joint condition. Because any delay in the repair will result in the CV coupling quickly wearing out and severely damaged.
Especially if you often drive through wet, slippery areas such as hills, mud, and snow, you need to solve the problem of CV quickly.
Can I replace the CV Joint myself?
You can replace the CV match yourself.
However, it would help if you keep in mind that there are many different types of vehicles. As a result, you probably won’t find instructions on how to replace the coupling or drive shaft for your vehicle.
Besides, if you are a non-mechanical person, you will undoubtedly have to invest a rather expensive amount of money for specialized replacement tools.
Meanwhile, you can ultimately save costs, time, and effort if you choose the replacement service of repair shops.
Conclusion
If you see Cv joint noise when driving straight, immediately find a solution. Because abnormal noise is one of the signs that the coupling is having problems.
It would help if you were not indifferent to signs of noise coming from your CV.
Because if you don’t solve it quickly, you may be in danger, not simply having to spend a large amount of money on replacing the entire CV joint.
