How Much Does It Cost To Replace CV Joints?

CV joints, a.k.a. constant velocity joints, a.k.a. CV axles, help transmit power from the vehicle’s powertrain to the wheels. Front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles all have CV joints. They are an important part of your drivetrain, and if they are worn out or damaged, you need to replace them.

What Are CV Joints and What Do They Do?

Constant velocity joints (CV joints) act like axles in a car that has the front wheels driven. They connect to the transmission, and they transmit the torque developed by the engine or motor to the front wheels.

Each half-axle, as they are sometimes called, has a joint at either end. The joint allows for the suspension and steering to change angles while still transmitting power at a “constant velocity” to the driven wheel.

A half-axle assembly consists of a CV joint at each end. The CV joint itself is a form of universal joint consisting of a set of bearings. These are surrounded by a rubber boot, and the assembly is packed with lubricant (grease).

ball joints on a 2023 Land Rover Defender
Image of CV joint on a Subaru Forester by John Goreham

How Can I Tell If My CV Joints Are Failing?

The classic sign of a failing CV joint is a sound that you hear emanating from the front of the vehicle when turning at slow speed. Knocking, clicking, and vibration may also be signs of a failed CV joint, but those can also be signs of other problems, so don’t jump to the conclusion it is the CV without having a mechanic inspect your vehicle.

There is also a classic visual indication. If you see yellow, black, grey, or green grease on your rim and look closer to find grease is splattered inside the wheel well and over the area inside the wheel where your suspension bits are, you likely have lost the grease that was inside the boot.

What Causes CV Joints To Fail?

CV joints can fail for a number of reasons. An impact can damage a CV. For example, if you are driving on a slippery road and impact a curb with your wheel turned sideways to the impact. A monster pothole can also cause some trouble, but that is less likely. Many impacts over time can cause the bearings to become improperly worn, and then wear, and begin to fail.

More often, the CV boot becomes compromised. It either tears from an impact with an object, or it wears and splits due to age and deterioration. Once this happens and the lubricant escapes, the joint wears rapidly and fails.

A defect could also cause a CV joint to fail, though this is very uncommon.

Are CV Joints Covered Under Warranty?

If your vehicle is under its new car warranty, we suggest that you try to have the CV joints repaired under that warranty. However, if an impact caused the damage, your warranty will likely not cover the damage. It’s worth a try. If you have an extended warranty, look closely at your contract to see if CV joints are covered.

Read more on the topic of Extended Warranties here.

How Much Does It Cost To Replace CV Joints?

The price to replace a CV joint, or joints, will depend on the age, make, and model of your vehicle. If you own a mainstream affordable vehicle, the price to replace a CV joint is likely to run in the range of $900 to $1200. The majority of the cost will be labor. If you own a pricey European luxury or sports model, expect to pay double. If you use a dealer instead of a trusted local mechanic, your price will likely be about 40% higher for this work.

Can a CV Joint Be Repaired Instead of Replaced?

Yes, it is possible in some cases to replace the axle boot and repack the axle grease inside. However, most mechanics will not choose this route. It is impossible to know if the axle’s metallic parts are worn and if you do replace the boot and grease, the axle may soon fail. That leads to irate customers.

The cost to remove and work on and then replace a CV axle is not far off the price to simply replace the parts. Thus, most of the time, replacement is the cure.

Do I need to Replace Both CV Joints or Just One?

If damage caused the CV axle to fail, you will need only one side replaced. However, if wear is the reason for the failure, then both sides of the car may need the CV joints replaced. If the vehicle has over 100,000 miles, the chances are good you need both.

Who Can Replace My CV Joints?

Any qualified mechanic can replace your CV joints. If you already use (and trust) a vehicle repair chain that employs certified mechanics, they can do the job. The dealer can certainly do the job, but you will likely find the dealer charges about 40% more for the same work.

Do I Need an Alignment After Replacing CV Joints?

It is not always necessary to have a car aligned after replacing a CV axle, but think of the reason for the failure. Was it an impact? If so, you probably should align the car anyway. If the mechanic needs to remove parts of the suspension for any reason to do the job, you will need an alignment. If the car has not had one in 30,000 miles anyway, it is a good idea to do one. Budget $100 for an alignment.

Can I Replace My Own CV Joints?

On a scale of one to five, with one being replacing a cabin air filter and five being an engine overhaul, replacing CV joints is a 2.5. It is possible that you could watch a Youtube video on how it works specifically with your make and model and succeed. However, having a lift and a complete tool kit is a must for this to be a practical job. You should then have a shop that can perform alignments take a look at the car.

Do I Need To Maintain My CV Joints?

CV joints are not a maintenance item. They are usually only visually inspected during your routine scheduled maintenance visits.

Read more on the topic of Owning a Car here.

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