How do i know when CV joint is bad?

Question

I know my cv joint is going, it makes a clicking noise when i turn. My uncle replaced the boot so he said it shouldn't get any worse. How will i know when its really bad? Will it start making a grinding noise? It's an 87 accord.

Answer 1

The clicking sound comes from dirt and grime that is in the joint. Replacing the CV boot now is like closing the barn door after the cows have escaped. The axle will still work but you shouldn't trust it for long trips or hard driving. The clicking will get louder but there isn't a good way to tell when it's going to break, it just will(Had this happen to me at a stop light and had to push the car out of traffic). Ride it until you can replace it but don't leave it.

Answer 2

look under it and see if the boots are torn or ripped and loosing grease and you,ll also notice a lot of clicking noise coming from it when you turn the wheels ,it will also vibrate when your driving it as the joints get worn worse the vibration will get lot worse also,if you have any of these signs especially the busted boots replace the whole axle its cheaper these days to buy a new axle than to replace on cv joint on one axle,you can get the whole thing new with a life time warranty on it for less than 70 bucks now,good luck with it.

Answer 3

Replacing the boot will not insure that your constant velocity (CV) joint doesn't get any worse. If it is already clicking then it wont be long till it fails. It's really bad when you hear clicking as you turn... so you should get it replaced lest you find yourself stranded when it does fail.

  You will want to avoid turning your wheel all the way to one side or the other and aggressively backing up. This will cause the CV joint to explode into many pieces. Little steel balls will fly out in every direction.  

Answer 4

You can replace it now while you can still drive it or you can wait until it breaks down on the road. Your choice - but it is going out & will only get worse.  

Answer 5

If it is making a noise then it is bad enough to replace. It will get worse, changing the boot only masks the real problem, old age and wear. It will cost you more in tyres and fuel the longer you hold off fixing it properly.

Answer 6

was the boot already torn when it was replaced?

when its torn, it's too late, you're suppose to replace the whole shaft. the grease spews out of the boot, joint becomes dry and ruins it.

do a 'hard' turn. if it clicks it's dead.

Answer 7

your cv joint is already bad if its clicking. a new boot will not help it last longer. you need to replace it ASAP or you run the risk of walking real soon