Quick question regarding CV joints. My grandfather had new ones put on at about 100k miles because they had play. He doesn't know what brand they are. What is the average life span for these things? They only have about 30k on them right now.
How long should you get out of CV Joints?
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I think most CV joints are replaced because a rock, ice or whatever tore the boot and allowed dirt to get in. I sold my Camry with over 200K and do not believe the CV joints were ever replaced. It was my Dad's car then mine.
It has to be climate dependent. Those boots can take a lot of abuse in some locations.
I recently replaced them on a 1994 with 160k miles that has spent it's entire life in the Upper Midwest. I figured that was very good.
I recently replaced them on a 1994 with 160k miles that has spent it's entire life in the Upper Midwest. I figured that was very good.
JHZR2
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Most of us MB diesel owners see 200-250k before the CV joints need service. They are not worn out, but generally the rubber starts to go.
The key to a long-lasting CV in these cases is a good reboot, and refill with the oil that is supposed to be used in there (not grease). Given that this is a world where people expect 500k out of vehicles, they also know about rebuilds. You do NOT want a rebuilt, but rather a rebooted OE CV if possible. Rebuilt axles grind down into the case hardened parts, and then wear is far faster. A rebooted OE axle will not be worn out after 300+k miles, a rebuilt axle will wear out after 100k or less.
The key to a long-lasting CV in these cases is a good reboot, and refill with the oil that is supposed to be used in there (not grease). Given that this is a world where people expect 500k out of vehicles, they also know about rebuilds. You do NOT want a rebuilt, but rather a rebooted OE CV if possible. Rebuilt axles grind down into the case hardened parts, and then wear is far faster. A rebooted OE axle will not be worn out after 300+k miles, a rebuilt axle will wear out after 100k or less.
Both our commuter Escort, and Lumina Minivan tow vehicle have 300 K miles on the orginal CV joints and both are fine.
Most of my cars have gone to the dump with 200k+ miles and still the original CV joints, I have always checked the boots carefully occasionally and changed a boot or two - but none on the current cars
I tore a boot badly on a 1983 Escort on a Colorado 4WD road, I wrapped it up with a bread bag and string, that easily lasted 1,500 miles of vacation and back to home for a real boot, and kept dirt from getting in - which is usually the cause of failure.
My son's 86 Escort did need a cv joint on one side at about 210 k miles, there was no sign of boot damage - apparently it just wore out.
Were his CV's noisy in corners, or just being replaced by an overzealous mechanic??
Most of my cars have gone to the dump with 200k+ miles and still the original CV joints, I have always checked the boots carefully occasionally and changed a boot or two - but none on the current cars
I tore a boot badly on a 1983 Escort on a Colorado 4WD road, I wrapped it up with a bread bag and string, that easily lasted 1,500 miles of vacation and back to home for a real boot, and kept dirt from getting in - which is usually the cause of failure.
My son's 86 Escort did need a cv joint on one side at about 210 k miles, there was no sign of boot damage - apparently it just wore out.
Were his CV's noisy in corners, or just being replaced by an overzealous mechanic??
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Quick question regarding CV joints. My grandfather had new ones put on at about 100k miles because they had play. He doesn't know what brand they are. What is the average life span for these things? They only have about 30k on them right now.
What kind of play? Did the shop take advantage of him?
I have run over 200k miles on the originals and they were still good, on an Accord and a Camry. Over 100k miles on some other cars that I didn't keep 200k miles. In 30 years of driving cars with CV joints, I have never had to replace one but have had to replace some boots.
Quick question regarding CV joints. My grandfather had new ones put on at about 100k miles because they had play. He doesn't know what brand they are. What is the average life span for these things? They only have about 30k on them right now.
What kind of play? Did the shop take advantage of him?
I have run over 200k miles on the originals and they were still good, on an Accord and a Camry. Over 100k miles on some other cars that I didn't keep 200k miles. In 30 years of driving cars with CV joints, I have never had to replace one but have had to replace some boots.
Originally Posted By: XS650
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Quick question regarding CV joints. My grandfather had new ones put on at about 100k miles because they had play. He doesn't know what brand they are. What is the average life span for these things? They only have about 30k on them right now.
What kind of play? Did the shop take advantage of him?
I have run over 200k miles on the originals and they were still good, on an Accord and a Camry. Over 100k miles on some other cars that I didn't keep 200k miles. In 30 years of driving cars with CV joints, I have never had to replace one but have had to replace some boots.
'
I dunno he said they needed replaced because of play. Normally he is very mechanically inclined. He had them replaced, and then ont he way home one of the new ones fell apart during a turn and they had to replace that one again.
Originally Posted By: rudolphna
Quick question regarding CV joints. My grandfather had new ones put on at about 100k miles because they had play. He doesn't know what brand they are. What is the average life span for these things? They only have about 30k on them right now.
What kind of play? Did the shop take advantage of him?
I have run over 200k miles on the originals and they were still good, on an Accord and a Camry. Over 100k miles on some other cars that I didn't keep 200k miles. In 30 years of driving cars with CV joints, I have never had to replace one but have had to replace some boots.
'
I dunno he said they needed replaced because of play. Normally he is very mechanically inclined. He had them replaced, and then ont he way home one of the new ones fell apart during a turn and they had to replace that one again.
Your friend needs to find a new shop to go to. If they were a long time mechanic maybe I would go back. They should take ownership of the bad part and install it at no cost.
Originally Posted By: Donald
Your friend needs to find a new shop to go to. If they were a long time mechanic maybe I would go back. They should take ownership of the bad part and install it at no cost.
He did. Replaced it at no cost.
Your friend needs to find a new shop to go to. If they were a long time mechanic maybe I would go back. They should take ownership of the bad part and install it at no cost.
He did. Replaced it at no cost.
If the boots are good, expect long life.
If you have torn boots for more than a week or two , the C/V joint will fail.
If you have torn boots for more than a week or two , the C/V joint will fail.
Around here, the boots seem to last about 12 years. I've never personally seen one wear out before boot failure.
On my 92 Grand Am with the HO Quad 4 and 5 speed, they were still in good shape when I traded it off at 10 years old and 180K. It could lay rubber in third gear. Got 170K on my 02 Cavalier with no problems.
Joints wear out 10,000,000 times faster when a boot goes.
Grease goes away, and water and dirt get in.
Grease goes away, and water and dirt get in.
Depends on the car, and when it was built. During the 1980s, getting 60,000 miles out of factory CV joints was common. However, over the last few years, I often see 180,000 miles from factory CV joints.
However, rebuilt ones are a different story. Cheap ones usually don't last more than 50,000 miles. Good ones last until the rest of the car disintegrates.
However, rebuilt ones are a different story. Cheap ones usually don't last more than 50,000 miles. Good ones last until the rest of the car disintegrates.
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