What happens when your front drive axle fails?
One afternoon, just as you pull out of the parking lot, there’s a loud banging noise and a series of crunches. Then all forward thrust drops off, punctuated by vibration and the occasional ping of tortured metal. Your CV joint has failed.
How are the wheels of a front drive vehicle connected?
The wheels of your front-drive vehicle are connected to the transaxle via axles that have constant-velocity-type universal joints at each end. There is an inner and outer joint on the left and right axles.
Can a front wheel drive axle be replaced?
Balls and grooves will show wear before the joint fails completely. Replacing a front-wheel-drive axle is straightforward, although physically demanding. Get the replacement axle before you start, as well as a new spindle nut and a cotter pin or two.
Which is the right side of the axle to replace?
And it’s usually the right side that goes first because here in the lefthand-drive US of A, we turn sharper around righthand corners than lefthand ones. Sometimes the rubber boots covering the joints fail from age or are torn by road debris, letting the grease out and dirt and water in.
Can a front wheel drive car go without an axle?
Average rating from 1,486 customers who received a Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement. Without two operational axles, your car won’t be going much of anywhere. They’re what transfers power to the wheels from the transmission (in a front-wheel drive setup) or the differential (in a rear-wheel drive system).
What can I use to replace front drive axle?
A large crescent wrench or pipe wrench is not an acceptable substitute. Borrow, rent or buy the right socket and a flex handle with at least an 18-in. handle, because that nut may be torqued to as much as 300 lb.-ft. You can use an air wrench to loosen it if you have compressed air available.