Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
306 Manual Drive Trains and Axles
Hub nut is
staked to
CV joint stub shaft
Cotter pin locks nut
to drive axle
Nut lock
Figure 15-39. Always make sure the spindle nut cannot work
loose. Some nuts are staked to the shaft, but most use a cotter
pin and a nut lock. (Ford, Chrysler)
5. After installation, make sure the shaft rotates freely and
the CV joint boots are not kinked or collapsed. If nec-
essary, rework the boot to remove kinks and wrinkles.
In some cases, it may be necessary to loosen a boot
clamp to allow air to enter a collapsed joint boot.
6. After the CV axle is installed properly, reinstall the
wheel on the hub.
7. Lower the vehicle.
8. Reconnect the battery negative cable and conduct a
road test.
Note: On some vehicles, the front end
alignment must be checked if the steering
knuckle has been disassembled.
Summary
CV axles are simple devices, but they can develop
problems. CV axle problems can be grouped into three
areas: noises, vibrations, and leaks. These problems are
generally caused by defective CV joints, wheel bearings, or
joint boots. Before working on a CV axle, always make
sure the problem is not caused by a malfunction in some
other part of the vehicle. It may be necessary to put the
vehicle on a lift or to perform a road test to determine the
exact cause of a problem.
The CV axle must be removed from the vehicle to
make most axle repairs. In many cases, the axle must be
removed to repair the transaxle or remove the engine.
To begin axle removal, raise the vehicle and remove
the wheel from the side being serviced. Disconnect the
front steering knuckle from the suspension components
and pull the steering knuckle from the CV axle. The axle
can then be removed from the transaxle. In some cases,
the axle and knuckle must be removed from the vehicle as
a unit.
After removal, be careful not to force the CV joints
into extreme angles. Once the axle is on a clean work-
bench, the axle shafts should be checked for straightness,
if necessary, the transaxle seals can be replaced after the
axles are removed.
The wheel bearings should be checked and, if
necessary, replaced. There are many bearing types and
attachment methods. The technician must follow factory
procedures when replacing wheel bearings.
Tripod joints are often used on CV axle shafts. To
disassemble the joints, remove the boot and the retaining
clips. The joint will then come apart easily. The tripod
spider assembly should be checked for wear and replaced
if needed. After reassembly, check the joint for proper flexi-
bility and rotation. If the tripod joint is badly worn, it may
be easier to replace the joint than to rebuild it.
The ball-and-cage joint is commonly used on CV
axles. After the boot is removed, remove the retainer clips
and disassemble the joint. The balls, raceways, and cage
should be carefully checked for wear or corrosion. After
the necessary new parts are installed, the ball-and-cage
joint can be reassembled.
The CV joint boots are critical to the durability of the
CV joints. If a boot is damaged, lubricant will be lost. In
addition, dirt and water can enter the joint through a
damaged boot. Damaged boots must be replaced promptly.
A CV axle is reinstalled in the reverse order of
removal. The axle is installed in the transaxle assembly
and reattached to the front steering knuckle and bearing
assembly. Make sure all steering and suspension parts are
reattached and the spindle nut is properly torqued and
locked in place.
Review Questions—Chapter 15
Answer the following questions using the information
provided in this chapter.
1. Describe the three categories of CV axle problems.
2. What is one of the most common causes of CV axle
noise?
3. Rumbling or roaring noises that increase and decrease
only slightly with vehicle speed are usually caused by
bad _____.