How to Remove CV Joint from Axle: A Guide by Experts

Ever wondered how a CV joint is removed from an axle? Because if you are a car fanatic, you would know how important a job it is. If you take good care of your car, then you might be able to save your axle or CV joints before it’s too late.

However, it’s not possible for all of us in our busy life.

Some people just ignore it altogether because they are lazy, or they think servicing would cost them a fortune.

But it will not do you any good for the future because you are damaging your cars and wheels even more. You would be surprised to see how easy it is to replace a CV joint from your axle.

And here, we’ll teach you how to remove cv joint from the axle.

What are Axles on a Car?

There are many different kinds of axles that are available in the market right now, although the structure and purpose of the wheel have remained the same since its birth. In simple words, axles are what make the wheel spin, so as you can assume, it’s essential when it comes to having a car.

If the engine was directly connected to the wheels, then it would have been harder to control the wheels because it is just too much power for a wheel, and the friction between the mechanical parts would have been a big issue. This is why axles are here to save the day. 

It gets rid of the problems and helps you deliver the appropriate amount of power to your wheels.

Depending on your car and the purpose of the car, you chose the axle you need. There are axles that are stubby, which are great for spindles.

Then the axles require it to deliver power to the wheels. These are usually a straight axle that does not have a suspension attached to it. 

And these are perfect if you travel on roads with no bumps. However, you need suspension if you go on bumpy roads. The suspension will absorb the shocks and make the ride smoother for the passengers. 

What Are CV Joints?

The axles used for the front-wheel-drive cars are slightly different as well because the wheels control the steering of the vehicle.

You will travel on are smooth roads, so you need suspensions. Suspensions and the controlling of the wheels require the axles to be very flexible and efficient. 

So the answer to this is CV joints or constant velocity joints. The collection of bearings and enclosures on that axle that allows the axle to rotate and stretch, and deliver the power needed to the wheels so that the car can travel in different angles, road surfaces, planes, etc. are called CV joints. 

Its main purpose is to help the car achieve constant velocity for a comfortable ride. The bolts and bearings are greased up with oils, which protects the parts and makes the axle as frictionless as possible to reduce the loss of energy. 

Inside the CV Joints

The spinning parts are held together by an elastic rubber boot, which is also greased up. The boot is what keeps the CV joint in one piece. And the boot also protects the joint by keeping dirt, dust, and grime away.

A CV axle usually has two CV joints, one is on the inside, and the other is outside. 

And the inner joint collects the power from the engines and directs it to the outer joint, which in turn transfers it to the wheels. 

We underestimate how much work is put into the machine that we drive every day, and like every machine, the CV joints also wear out due to daily usage.

It may crack or tear or just be too old to perform the way you want it too. The grease may run out, or the joints may be clotted with dirt. 

Hence it is important that you keep an eye out so that you know when to replace them. 

How to Remove CV Joint from Axle

This process is supposed to vary slightly depending on the car model and the type of axle you have. The simple steps by which you can easily replace the CV joints in your axles are as follows.

Disconnect the Battery 

Get underneath your car and get a good look at your CV joints. Carefully begin disconnecting the battery for the axle and start jacking up the car.

Put some oil on the bolts that are about to come off and allow it to soak for some time. This is essential because it will make your job significantly easy. 

Move Braking Lines

You don’t have to disconnect your suspension line to do this. Move the brake lines and anything else that might be in the way. You can use a wrench to do it. 

Loosen the Top Mounts

Start with the bolts that are on the top, and at first, just loosen them, make sure you don’t completely remove them. This will provide suspension, which will make the axle removal easier. 

Remove the Wheel Side Bolts

Now move on to the bolts that are directly connected to the wheel. First, loosen these mounting bolts and then remove them. 

Unfasten the Axle 

Now it’s time to completely detach the axle from your wheel. So take it out and keep in mind that you don’t let the axle hang or dangle in the process.

Potential oil seals may be damaged or clotted, and oil that is keeping the entire system greasy may leak out.

Take the Axle out 

As of now, your axle must be detached, so with care, pull, pry or do whatever that you think will work to take the axle out of the transmission or differential. Again a warning not to do anything that may damage or bend the oil seals. 

Take out the CV Joint from the Axle

Once the axle is out, you can see the joints and where it slides into the transmission. Use a screwdriver, sturdy flathead ones, or a small pry bar to take the joint out. You have to keep twisting and apply force to break the seal. Do not worry if it leaks out some oil. 

Insert New CV Joints

The main purpose of taking those old joints out so that you could replace them with new ones, so put new joints into the same place from where you removed the old ones. 

You will know that you are doing it right when you hear or feel the small C-clip on the axle snapping in place. The axle will then flush against the transmission housing. 

Put the Axle Back 

It is time to put back your axle into its original place. So just be smart about it and don’t fuss. Make a mental note of how you put everything apart and use it as a guide to putting it right back in. 

Attach It to the Wheels and Engines

Reconnect everything that you disconnected to replace your CV joints. You can use the above steps as a guide and work your way back to the top. Make sure you use torque and double-check all the bolts and connections. 

Conclusion

See how easy it is? All you have to do is follow the steps, and you have saved yourself quite a lot of money and learned some skills along the way.

Though let me just remind you to be careful while working on replacing your CV joints. There is no need to put caution in the wind and be hasty. 

Wear the necessary protective clothing, clear your workplace, make sure you have everything you need, and nobody will come and distract you while working.