What are the consequences of a damaged CV joint?
2 Answers
When the outer CV joint is damaged and not repaired, it will make a clicking noise during turns, and in severe cases, the CV joint may detach, leading to loss of steering control. Below is relevant information about CV joints: 1. Function: Transmits the engine's power from the transmission to the two front wheels, enabling the car to drive at high speeds. The dust cover is a critical component of the CV joint, primarily preventing dust from entering the joint and stopping the grease inside from leaking out. Special high-temperature resistant grease must be used in CV joints; other lubricants cannot substitute. 2. Classification: One type is the fixed ball-type CV joint (RF joint), characterized by transmitting torque while allowing only relative rotation between the driving and driven shafts without axial displacement, typically used near the wheels, commonly referred to as the outer CV joint. The other type is the sliding ball-type CV joint (VL joint), which not only allows relative rotation between the driving and driven shafts but also permits axial displacement, usually installed near the drive axle, commonly known as the inner CV joint.
I've experienced a damaged CV joint before, and the consequences were quite severe. The most obvious symptom was a clicking noise from the chassis when turning, especially noticeable during low-speed turns in parking garages. If you continue driving with this issue, it can cause the driveshaft to lose balance, resulting in severe shaking throughout the entire vehicle during acceleration, making it difficult to even hold the steering wheel steady. What's more dangerous is that the universal joint might suddenly break, causing a complete loss of power transmission. Last time, my friend's car had a CV joint failure on the highway—the axle shaft completely detached, causing the wheel to tilt. Fortunately, he managed to pull over in time to avoid an accident. So if you notice any unusual noises, you should get it checked immediately. Otherwise, the repair could cost you several thousand dollars at minimum.
