Like many of you, my husband and I love to take care of our cars and keep them in excellent condition.
Last week, my neighbor Laura had a difficult time getting her car started, and we began discussing what might be wrong. The moment she mentioned not getting the vehicle checked despite all the symptoms, my husband was sure that the CV joint needed to be replaced.
And what do you know, our prediction was correct. The CV axle shaft had become loose and finally broken that morning, which stopped the car from starting and started leaking grease from the tires.
Hi! I'm Stacy Smith, and I'd love all of y'all to stay safe and happy. That's why I thought of sharing how to identify a bad axle and how long it’s safe to drive with one.
So, how long can you drive on a bad CV axle? Let's find out.
What Does A CV Axle Do?
In front-wheel-drive cars, there is a solid shaft with constant-velocity or CV joints present. Most front-wheel cars have two of these axles, one for each wheel. You can identify it as the half shaft or drive shaft which connects the outer CV joint to the inner one.
The main job of a CV axle in the vehicle is to transfer power from transmission and differentials to the wheel. In simpler words, it makes your car move.
When Does It Need To Be Replaced?
The thing is, even if you clean and fix the car regularly; there isn't much you can do to prevent a bad CV axle. It is just one of those things which we can't control.
Just as I warn my son, I think it's unwise to continue driving a vehicle that has damaged parts. So, it's essential to identify the cues the car gives when it isn't running up to its potential.
Warning Signs Of A Bad CV Axle
1. Loud Clicking Noise
One thing you need to keep your ears alerted to while driving is a loud popping or clicking sound. This is one of the more noticeable signs of a faulty CV axle. Now, you might be wondering what the clicking sound means. Over a long time of use, the CV axle gets worn out, and the joints become looser.
A fully functioning CV axle doesn't move or rattle at all, but sometimes the joints wear out and don't hold the shaft in a fixed position. This causes the clicking sound whenever the vehicle is driven or turns around a bend. For those of you who have never experienced this, I always notice that the clicking sound becomes louder as you take sharp or fast turns.
2. Greasy Tire Edges
Another symptom you can check for is grease on the tires or along the underside of your car. Oil can spread out towards the tires when the boot is torn or leaking for some reason.
After the oil leaks out to the other parts of the car, like the CV joints and shaft, the axle spins it around. This results in grease spreading all over the area where you would not typically expect to see any.
3. Vibration While Driving
The next indication to look out for is excessive vibrations when driving the car. This often happens when the CV axle or shaft is either loose or damaged in some way, causing the whole car to vibrate. Sometimes you might notice the vibrations increase as you drive the vehicle faster.
This is one sign which you must not ignore because driving at high speeds with a damaged shaft can break the axle from the joint. This might further result in the car stopping abruptly on the road. The best thing to do in this scenario is to replace the CV axle before it gets damaged further.
If your CV axle is showing these signs, there are chances it needs to be checked by a mechanic. A professional will be able to determine whether to tighten the shaft or change the part altogether.
How Long Can You Drive With A Damaged CV Axle?
All things considered, the most you can manage to run the vehicle is about 4 or 5 months. It is not recommended to stretch it up to 6 months before taking it to the mechanic. You can change it yourself if you are good at handling parts, but ensure it is within 5 months.
Consequences Of Driving With A Bad CV Axle
Now, I would insist my son get the axle replaced as soon as the car started showing warning signs. Usually, he would get it fixed within the 4 to 5 month mark, so things were safe. However, I have heard a few stories from neighbors about what happened after they decided to continue driving despite having a faulty CV axle.
One of my friends, Jacob, had this issue for over 6 months, and he procrastinated getting it replaced. A few weeks ago when he drove the car to drop off his grandson at school, it stopped abruptly at the school grounds. No matter how many times he tried to start the ignition, he could only get the car home safely after calling the mechanics.
Thankfully, he and his kid were safe, but that is the scary part of delaying repairs. You can't predict when and where they might stop working.
Takeaway
I always say, “It’s better to be safe than sorry,” and fixing a bad CV axle is one of those times when this is especially true. The inner workings of cars are a mystery for some people, and when it comes to CV joints and axles, it might get all the more confusing.
In general, keeping an eye and ear out for identifying the warning signs should help you determine if something’s wrong. I hope this article gave you a better idea of how to identify issues with your vehicle’s CV axle and answered all the vital questions.
See you next time, bye!