Can you drive a truck with a bad CV axle?

Category: automotive auto parts
4.9/5 (1,235 Views . 31 Votes)
In a front-wheel drive car, the axles are connected to the wheels with Constant Velocity (CV) joints. A severely worn out CV joint can even disintegrate while you're driving and make the car undrivable. You may lose control of the vehicle entirely. It is not safe to drive with a damaged CV joint.



In this regard, can you drive a truck without CV axle?

Registered. You cannot drive without the outer CV spline bolted in through the hub. This holds the hub together, the wheel hub is two piece.

Secondly, what happens if a CV joint breaks while driving? If a CV joint begins to fail while driving, your car will start to pull to one side as one wheel loses power. When the joint breaks completely its corresponding wheel will no longer turn and although the engine may still run, the car won't move.

Hereof, what are the symptoms of a bad CV axle?

These are the symptoms of a bad or failing CV axle shaft assembly

  • Loud clicking noises when turning. One of the most common and most noticeable symptoms of a bad or failing CV axle shaft assembly is an audible clicking noise when turning.
  • Grease on edge of tire.
  • Excessive vibration while driving.

Can a bad CV joint affect the transmission?

Well, if you have a bad CV joint, it will stick and causing basically the same issue as when you do a burn out, one side of the differental spins faster then the other.

32 Related Question Answers Found

Should I replace both CV axles?

OEM parts are more expensive, but the OEM quality is often better. Replacing rear CV axles tends to be more expensive due to extra labor. Do both CV axles need to be replaced at the same time? No, it's not necessary; there is no need to replace a CV axle if it's in good shape.

What does a broken CV joint sound like?

Signs of a damaged CV-joint boot or worn CV joint
The most common symptom of a badly-worn outer CV joint is a clicking or popping noise when turning. Usually the noise gets louder when accelerating in turns. A worn-out inner CV joint may also cause clunking when shifting from Drive to Reverse.

How much is it to replace a CV axle?

The average cost for a CV axle replacement is between $880 and $1,116. Labor costs are estimated between $125 and $159 while parts are priced between $755 and $957. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.

What happens if you don't fix your CV axle?

CV joint failure: In a worst case scenario, your CV joint will fail. Essentially, this will break the axle, leaving you with a car that won't go anywhere. If this happens while you're driving, it can be serious, leading to a total loss of control.

How much does it cost to fix a CV joint?


CV Joint Replacement Cost
A CV joint itself can cost between $95 and $210. Hiring a mechanic to perform a replacement will be between $165 and $800. The price mainly depends on whether you're replacing a double or single axle.

What is the difference between a CV joint and a ball joint?

CV joints are part of the front axle shafts, ball joints are part of the front suspension. The suspension works all the time, 2WD or 4WD.

Are CV joints hard to replace?

CV Joint and/or Wheel Bearings are probably damaged if you are hearing clicking. Easy to replace if you have the skills/tools/time. It is always easier to replace the half shaft (usually a refurb with a rebuild CV Joint and new boot) then it is to replace the CV joint components. If you do most of your own work.

How long can you drive with a bad CV axle?

You can drive on a damaged CV joint for a little while, but there's no telling how long “safe” operation will last. There are many factors, such as where you drive, the amount of dirt/dust/debris in the areas you drive, how much water gets into the joint, and more. 3.

How long does it take to change a CV axle?

Choose your car for a more accurate estimate
On the 2006 Navigator, if a professional mechanic is replacing the axle(s), it is assumed to take about 1 hour to replace one axle (i.e., one side) whether it is the rear axle or the front axle.

How do I test my CV axle?


How to Test a CV Joint
  1. Examine the rubber boots located on the axle shaft next to the wheel. If it show signs of damage or is covered with grease, the boot has been compromised.
  2. Accelerate and decelerate quickly, but smoothly, taking note of any lurching or shuddering located in the axles while listening for a “clunking” sound.

What does a bad wheel bearing sound like?

The most common symptom with a bad wheel bearing is a loud noise coming from the tire or wheel of the vehicle. It will sound like metal grinding on metal and will get louder as the vehicle goes faster. A bad wheel bearing can lead to uneven tire wear, which means you will have to purchase tires sooner.

Should CV axles have play?

The CV joint is a flexible joint so some play in the shaft is OK, but there should be no play of the joint other than its intended movement. If you hear clunking, it would most likely be a bad engine mount or transmission mount.

Can a bad CV joint sound like a bad bearing?

Since a failed bearing sounds a lot like excessive road noise, it can be hard to do a wheel bearing noise diagnosis to tell if you've simply got worn tires or a bad wheel bearing. This is sometimes also caused by a damaged CV joint, but can also be due to worn wheel bearings if you hear a clicking noise when turning.

How do you know if your front differential is bad?

Here are some of the most common symptoms of a failing differential:
  1. Service Past Due. Like all components of your vehicle, your differential needs periodic service.
  2. Leaking Differential Oil.
  3. Strange Noises.
  4. Vibrations.
  5. Unusual Smells.

Can you drive with a broken front differential?


They're what transfers power to the wheels from the transmission (in a front-wheel drive setup) or the differential (in a rear-wheel drive system). If one of your axles is broken, do not drive the car. It's not safe. If your axles are failing, you'll still technically be able to drive your car.

How long should a CV joint last?

During the 1980s, getting 60,000 miles out of factory CV joints was common. However, over the last few years, I often see 180,000 miles from factory CV joints. However, rebuilt ones are a different story. Cheap ones usually don't last more than 50,000 miles.