CV axles transfer power from the transmission to the front wheels while allowing the wheels to steer and move with the suspension, and driveshafts do the same job to a rear or all wheel drive axle. When a joint wears you hear a click on turns or feel a vibration that rises with speed. AutoTech Clinic replaces CV axles and repairs driveshafts at our shop on Michigan Ave in Dearborn, usually the same day.
Most CV joint failures start with a torn rubber boot. The grease escapes, road grit gets in and the joint wears out. Catching a torn boot early is a much smaller repair than replacing the axle.
- How Long
- About 2 to 4 hours for most CV axles.
- Same Day
- Usually finished the same day.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need CV Axles and Driveshafts
- A rhythmic clicking when you turn, loudest at full lock in a parking lot
- A vibration that gets worse as speed increases
- A clunk when you shift from drive to reverse or lift off the throttle
- Dark grease sprayed on the inside of a wheel or along the underbody
- A torn or cracked rubber boot visible at the inner or outer joint
- A shudder under hard acceleration from a stop
What We Do
- 01
Inspect the Boots and Joints
We check both boots on each axle for tears and look for grease thrown onto surrounding parts, which tells us how long it has been torn.
- 02
Check for Play
We grip and twist the joints and check for excessive play, and we distinguish axle play from wheel bearing and tie rod play, which feel similar.
- 03
Rule Out the Other Causes
A vibration can come from a tire, a wheel bearing, a bent wheel or a driveshaft. We confirm the source before replacing anything.
- 04
Replace the Axle or Joint
We fit a quality replacement axle or rebuild the driveshaft joints, with new hardware and the correct axle nut torque.
- 05
Road Test
We road test with full lock turns and at highway speed on I-94 to confirm the click and the vibration are gone.
Clicking on Turns Is the Classic Sign
The outer CV joint takes the most punishment because it has to handle steering angle and suspension travel at the same time. When it wears, the clicking appears first on tight turns at low speed, which is why people usually notice it in a parking lot.
At that stage the car is still drivable, but the joint is wearing fast. A CV joint that fails completely can separate, and that leaves the car without drive and can damage the transmission case.
Why Boots Matter More Than People Think
The rubber boot holds a packed grease charge and keeps water and road salt out. In Michigan a torn boot fills with brine within a couple of weeks, and from that point the joint is on a clock.
We check boots on every oil change and alignment. If we catch a tear early we can often reboot and repack the joint for a fraction of the cost of a new axle.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- One axle or both sides
- Whether a torn boot was caught early enough to reboot rather than replace
- Driveshaft work, which may involve universal joints, a center bearing or balancing
- All wheel drive vehicles with front and rear shafts
- Rust seizing the axle into the hub, which adds removal time
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.