How long can you drive on a bad CV axle? | Useful Guide
Do you hear a loud clicking sound in your vehicle while turning it? Is your vehicle vibrating more than usual? If yes, your car may have a faulty CV axle. This faulty axle is not giving enough power to car wheels for turning. These bad CV axle joints may make your car immovable. So, you need to know, how long can you drive on a bad CV axle? Keep reading this article to find out more!!
Well, you may drive your car on a bad CV axle for 3-5 months. But, the exact time depends on the weather condition in which you're driving the car. Besides, the cause for the damaged CV axle also decides the time for which you can drive your car.
How long can you drive on a bad CV axle?
After reviewing the precise answer, let's discuss how long you can drive on a bad CV axle.
Technically, there is no exact time for which you can drive with a bad CV joint. According to some experts, a broken CV axle may last for a year. On the other hand, it may take only a month for CV joint failure.
Normally, you drive your car for at least 5 months with a bad CV axle. However, if you're thinking to drive your car with the same axle in the 6th month, your car is at risk. Our recommendation is to change the faulty CV axle with the best CV axle for your safety.
The weather conditions also affect the time to use a bad CV axle. For instance, a person who drives a car mostly in the rainy and snowy region should not wait for replacing the broken CV axle. On the other hand, if you're living in dry weather, you can enter into the 6th month with a bad CV joint.
Now comes to the damage extent. Well, if your car's CV axle has leaky boots, you need to be more conscious. A leaky CV axle boot or CV boot clamp will allow more dust to enter the joint. As a result, things can go out of control, and it's not safe for you and your car. Our expert recommendation is to use good quality Cardone CV axle.
How to tell if the CV axle is bad?
No doubt, you should contact a technician to fix your car's bad CV axle as soon as possible. But you might be wondering how you would know that your car's CV axle is bad? And what are the bad CV axle symptoms? Don't worry; you're not alone. We're here to help you out.
● Loud noises while turning the car:
A loud noise while turning the car is the most common symptom of a bad CV axle. Actually, a damaged CV axle gets loosened; that's the reason for the clicking noise.
The clicking noise will become louder as the speed of your car is getting faster. In the same way, this sound would get louder when you take turns on the car. You can follow the following steps to know if the CV axle is damaged or not:
● Choose the reverse gear
● Turn the wheel to turn the car
● Observe if you hear any noise
If there's CV axle noise, it means your car's CV axle is worn out.
● Vibration in the moving car:
Vibration is another reason that indicates the bad CV joint. No doubt, there can be some other reasons for car vibration. But, if the vibration increases with speed, it means your car has a broken CV axle.
So, now it's time to know what can be the reason behind this vibration. Actually, a broken CV axle doesn't get balanced easily. As a result, the shaft will start vibrating to run the vehicle properly.
Don't forget to inspect the real cause of vibration before repairing it.
● Greasy tires:
The CV axle of any car contains boots. These boots are responsible for holding the lubricating grease. However, if the CV axle boot gets leaked, the grease will also start leaking from the CV axle. Consequently, you'll notice grease around the tires.
In such a situation, take your car to the service center for repair as soon as possible. Otherwise, your car has to experience CV joint failure.
How dangerous is it to drive a car on a bad CV axle?
Most people take the broken CV axle lightly. However, if you don't take it seriously, you may have to experience severe consequences. Here're some of the CV joint failure consequences:
● The most common consequence is that your car will stop moving. The reason is that your car's CV axle would not be able to transfer the power from the engine. In such a situation, your car will stop moving even if all parts are running.
● With a bad CV axle, you would lose control over your car. As a result, you may experience severe accidents if you're in heavy traffic.
So, it's a critical component that may lead to severe consequences. So, it's better to replace the CV axle as soon as you realize that your car has a broken CV axle.
FAQ’s
1. What are the consequences if CV joint breaks while driving?
If the CV joint fails during driving, you have to experience the following consequences:
● Firstly, your car will stop moving. Actually, one of the wheels would not get power. As a result, your car will not turn, leading to an immovable car.
● Secondly, you may lose control over the car, leading to a severe accident.
2. How can you recognize a bad CV axle?
Following are some ways to help you recognize a broken CV axle:
● Firstly, you'll observe greasy tires
● Secondly, you would hear a loud clicking sound while turning the car
● Thirdly, you would feel extra vibration in your car.
3. How much time is required to replace a CV axle?
Replacing a CV axle may take 30 minutes to 1 hour. It's time to replace the axle on one side. However, if you want to replace both sides' CV axle, it may take more time.
But, it doesn't mean that replacing both axles will take double time. It'll take less time than the double because the car would be already open for replacement.
4. Is it necessary to replace CV axles in pairs?
No, it's not necessary. If one of the axles is in good condition, no need to replace it. You can replace only the axle which is damaged.
Final Thoughts..!!!
Finally, you find the answer to: How long can you drive on a bad CV axle? And the answer is, you can drive your car with a broken CV axle for a maximum of five months. But, I would advise you to replace your bad CV joint as soon as possible. It'll prevent you from long-term consequences.
