Is it hard to replace a cv joint?

Answer 1

A Cv joint is not connected to the brake system at ALL.
there are four Cv joints on your vehicle they are the pivoting Joints in a front wheel drives axle shafts these are what allow the shaft to change length and pivot at a angle and the driving conditioning's on the suspension...etc they are moderately difficult to change. You have to remove the shaft from the transmission and from the wheel end/brake and hub system. Once the shaft is removed you have to pop the rubber boot off and undo a set of snap rings in the shaft and then sometimes it is necessary to press these joints off of the "half shaft". I wouldn't really recommend this for the do it yourselfers out there because of the safety risks that there are when performing this repair. It would probably be best to call several reputable repair shops and get quotes on the cost to replace the CV Joint.

unless your a schmuck with a lot of automotive tools and Patience
[any schmuck can do it? Come on Dr Evil they have to get the axle out of the car first. How many people do you think have everything needed to do the repair??] and I am not saying that to"support my industry, to rising cost of car maintenance does sicken me, that's why I work on Heavy Trucks, I have a conscience and i don't like feeling bad at the end of the day because the dealer ship i was working for was really ripping the consumer off

Answer 2

Yes darlin' it's rather difficult and requires special toos to replace a cv joint. However, the difference between a cv joint and a complete drive axle is about 20-30 bucks and a 1 yr vs. lifetime warranty. Shop around for a reputable mechanic and you should be able to get away for under 250 dollars, maybe even less. By the way, Dr. Evil, CV stands for constant velocity. And WHAT?!?!?! a speedy boot?!?!?! you must work at Poop Boys! As for John M., it sounds like you've got your ducks in a row. For the record, my conscience made me quit working for Firestone. I went there from a heavy truck shop, I suppose it's time to go home, huh?!

Answer 3

Cardiovascular Joint, good one!! CV stands for Continuous Variable. I once named a cat 'Continuous Random Variable'. His brother was 'Integrand Anti-differential.'

Anyways, the CV joint is generally installed as an axle assembly because the dust boots have cracked or ripped. Alternatively, you can remove the old boots, clean and grease the assembly, and put a speedy boot on. This is very easy to do.

However, most go the axle replacement route. The axle nut (as someone stated above) is tight and often requires a breaker bar or pneumatic wrench. The spindle can usually be rotated out of the way to remove and reinsert a new axle. This does NOT require messing with the brakes (as someone incorrectly stated above). It is a very simple job. Any shmuck can do it.

P.S. I stand corrected on the CV acronym. It is for 'Constant Velocity'. Thank you, Powder. Somehow my cat got confused with the initials.

However, a Speedy Boot (TM) can be purchased at most autoparts stores for around $12-$15. If successfully installed, they can save you the hassle of replacing a perfectly good complete axle if the original boot is torn. It can save a lot of time and money. The only tools required are a screwdriver for tightening up the clamps and screws. No wheel, spindle, or axle removal is required. Just get under the car, take off the old boot, and stick on the new one. Any shmuck can do that as well.

Answer 4

As far as the actual replacement no its not that difficult but it is recommended that you get a mechanic that knows what hes doing to do it. The parts arent that expensive but its the labor that will kill you. As for the comment about replace the axle thats not true. I have had a few cars that needed to cv joints and they are not an indicator of a bad axle. Its a routine maintenance item once it has had a lot of miles on it.

Answer 5

depends on the car
The 30mm axle nut is extremely tight and rquires a long breaker bar or preferably an air wrench to remove, after that remove the ball joint bolts on the lower control arm and pull the rotor and hub off and out of the way.
The axles can be hard to get out of the transmission and will need to be forced out with two large prybars, pry on the inner cv joint.
Once removed the inner cv joint can be removed, look for a snap ring on the end of the axle shaft, it's almost impossible to get the outer cv joint off, if just the boots are replaced install them both from the inside after the inner cv joint is removed, if the cv joints are noisy the entire axle assembly should be replaced.

Answer 6

You really shouldn't bother. The thing to do is replace the whole axle. That is easier to do and well worth the extra expense since if the joint has (or is about to ) failed, then the axle is suspect as well.

Answer 7

if you have a right tools and should not be hard to change cv joint

Answer 8

not really a back yard job. it should be done by some body trained and usually calls for some specialized tools. but it is not an impossible job either. seals and alignment are touchy. If you have access to an equipped shop it is not so bad.remember to torque the nuts, this is one of the ones that can be dangerous if it fails.

Answer 9

no, its connected to the brake assembly on each tire. It could be classed in the family of brakes, i.e. Pep Boys can do the replacement. Big O Tires, Midas, Firestone, these sorts of places can replace them.

Answer 10

If you have a floor jack, jack stands, and a ball-joint separator, it's no problem.