Answer: It appears from what you have told us that the CV joints are bad. If you replace the axle shafts, they will come with new CV joints and CV boots.

Question: 2001 Dodge Grand Caravan, mileage: 52,000. Steering wheel vibration at 70 mph. Brought the van in 3 times for wheel balancing but vibration still exists when I reach 70. Last time in for balancing they told me that they saw some tire feathering and that perhaps I needed new struts and shocks. Is this possible with only 55,000 carefully driven miles?

Answer: CV joints that are starting to fail will cause a vibration like what you are experiencing. Your struts and shocks are not the cause of the feathering. Improper wheel alignment can cause tires to feather, however. There are three adjustments for wheel alignment, caster, camber and toe in/toe out. The toe in/toe out is most likely your problem.

Question: 2005 Honda Civic mileage: 3,000. My right side CV joint is bad; do I need to replace the whole shaft or just the joint?

Answer: With the amount of mileage on your car, it is a good idea to replace the CV Joint Kit.

Question:  2003 Toyota Camry mileage: 60,000.  My two front CV boots have both broken and I need to get them replaced.  They could have been broken for as long as 3 months, or as little as a couple of days.  The mechanic told me that they would cost at least $500 to fix but I think he was just trying to take advantage of me.  Also, it is normal for these boots to break or am I riding my car too hard.   Also, I live in the city of hills, San Francisco.

Answer: If the CV joints are okay, you may be able to repack them and replace the CV boots. If the CV joints are damaged for lack of lubricant, you may have to replace the CV joints.

Question: 1999 Nissan Sentra  mileage: 70,000.  I had some work done on my exhaust system last month, and the mechanic told me that I also needed to have my CV joints replaced ASAP (to the tune of $400).  I haven't had any trouble with them - the car drives fine, and I haven't heard any clicking/clunking sounds.  Do I really need to have this done before my car starts to have 'symptoms'?

Answer:   If the rubber boot is torn and the grease has been thrown out, you may be able to repack the joints and install a new boot.  If the boot had been torn and the grease lost for a long period, damage may have been done to the joints.   In this case, the CV joints would have to be replaced.  We recommend getting new CV joints or drive axles.

Question: 2002 Honda Civic mileage: 66,000.  When I make turns in my car I hear a knocking sound?  I was told that it is due to worn CV Boots.  I was under the impression that the boot just held the oil and protected the joint or something from dirt.  I thought that I would need to replace my CV joints which would be much more expensive.  Would getting two new CV boots help fix the knocking on my car?   And is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening again?  Thanks for your help.

Answer:   You are right; the CV boot merely holds the grease around the CV joint itself.  The knocking sound is probably from the CV joint.  If the boot fails, the joint runs dry and shortly after that, the joint fails.  Preventive maintenance would be to inspect the boots and replace if damaged before the joints are damaged.

Question: 1998 Honda Prelude mileage: 95,000.  Bob and Ken, Grease is coming out of one of my inner CV Boots but the boot is not torn.  Should I just tighten the clamp or install a new clamp or do I need to replace the boot?  Thanks for your time.

Answer:   The purpose of a CV boot is to keep dirt out and grease in the CV joint.  If grease has escaped out of the CV boot, the joint should be repacked with grease and a new CV boot installed.

Question: 1999 Buick Le Sabre  mileage: 42,000.   Car had front-end vibration at highway speed. Tires replaced and balanced...vibration still there.  Dealer discovered CV boot/axle bad with replacement necessary.   Is this common for a car that is 2.5 yrs old/highway travel mostly and no history of an accident or hitting any object?  In addition, alternator replaced related to car quitting while driving.  A Buick lemon or just bad luck?

Answer:  The CV joint probably failed because the rubber boot, that surrounds the joint that contains the grease, tore letting the grease escape, which resulted in the joint not being lubricated.  If the failed boot had been discovered soon enough, repacking the joint and replacing the boot would have saved the CV joint.  We check the CV joint boots during oil and filter change service.

Question: 1999 Dodge caravan mileage: 80,000.  Hi Guys, well I put in new half shafts at 99,000 miles, a 1,000 miles later both where out.  I replaced struts, motor mounts, new tires, brakes calipers and rotors.  I had the Dodge dealer align the front end and check the motor mount alignment.   Now at 110,000 miles, there is one out again.  Any reason why or is it because they are rebuilt; they where purchased at Napa.  And of course it shakes between 30 to 45 mph then lets up past that or if take your foot of the gas.  Thanks

Answer:   Replace the CV joints with new parts.

Question: 93 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.0 mileage: 96,000.  While driving, the front end starts 'jumping' (or sounds) like an unbalanced wheel.   This happens occasionally at highway speeds.   I must lightly touch the brake when on 'auto pilot' or let off the throttle before it will stop.  Seems to be coming from the passenger side mainly.  The steering wheel does not move a lot.  It seems that it only does this when under power.  Any ideas?

Answer:   From what you describe, the CV joints on the drive axles are starting to fail.  Replacing them will probably fix your problem.

Question: 1998 Dodge Caravan mileage: 90,000.  This Caravan has a drive train.  A condition I'll call "halts", that is, while traveling along from 15-70 mph the van will act as if I hit the brake.  With no detectable rpm loss, no engine rev, just a �whoa there� mild jerk and then on it goes.  Feels as if a CV axle is slipping out of gear-mesh or torque converter is losing revolution/velocity and then instantly catches up.  Feels dangerous and is quite annoying, and two good mechanics can't zero in on solution.

Answer:   Your van may have problems with the drive axles.   The CV joints may be failing and binding up, its best to replace the whole axle in this case.

Question: 2002 Dodge Caravan mileage: 83,600.  When I turn the wheel, I hear a clicking sound near the wheels.

Answer:  The front �CV� joints may be the cause of the clicking sound and need replacing.

Question: 2001 Toyota Camry mileage: 83,500.  How to replace the CV shaft on the passenger side that has bracket that holds the bearing. I cannot get the old shaft completely out of the transmission.  I cannot get the old bearing out of the bracket.  How do I get it out of the bracket?

Answer: The axle shaft �snaps� in and out of the transmission.  A pry bar with mild force should remove the axle.  The bearing must be pressed off. And the drive axle replaced with new.

Question: 2001 Dodge Caravan: mileage: 94,000.  My CV joint is going out.  Is there any information I can obtain in replacing the part myself?  If so, where?

Answer:    We normally replace the axle assembly with a rebuilt unit.  A auto repair manual will have diagrams showing axle replacement - Here.