5 Signs Your Audi CV Boot Needs to be replaced Introduction
When we drive a car, energy from the engine is transferred to the gear box. The gear box then controls the supply to power to the wheel. The car runs as the wheel rotates. Even when we turn the car to change the direction, then also the wheels rotate with same power like that if driving in a straight road. What makes the transfer of power from the transmission to the wheels? It even makes the transfer of power when we turn the car to any degree. This is done by a special part known as CV axle. People get their car giving strange signs while turning which is caused by issues in the CV axle. Here I’m gonna discuss about CV boot and its failure signs.
What is CV axle and CV boot?
CV axle stands for constant velocity axle. This is a mechanical part which is responsible for the transfer of power from the gear box to the wheels. When the wheels get power, it makes the car to move forward by getting rotated. This axle consists of constant velocity joint which is flexible as it makes the wheels rotate when even you make the car turn by turning the steering wheel. This makes the wheels to turn when the axle becomes flex by the help of the CV joint
This CV joint is vulnerable to damage due to accumulation of various dirt and debris. This joint is very much likely to get contaminated by such dust. Dirt in the joint can make work roughly instead of smoothly, lubrication in the joint would deteriorate. The CV axle would not flex properly and it would become hard for the car to make the front wheels turn. So to prevent CV joint from getting such damages, a cap or a cover is used to prevent the dirt to enter to the joint and accumulate there and protect the lubrication of the joint. This cover is known as CV boot. A CV boot is made up of rubber which makes the joint to last for long by protecting it. Failing of CV boot can lead to various problems while turning the car.
Signs of failing CV boot
Failing of CV boot simply means that it is not be able to do its work of protecting the CV joint properly, and such things would happen when CV boot is worn or damaged. To diagnose it you should have to be sure of the problem by the help of different signs.
Leaking of grease
A CV boot begins to leak grease when the boot wears and develops cracks. It gets exposed to various elements like moisture, heat, etc and then becomes brittle due to which it breaks easily and leaks out grease. So when the axle turns, the leaking grease is flung to various parts at the underside of the car and also into the wheel.
Clicking during turning
When you turn the car, you find that there is a clicking noise from the car. This clicking noise is caused by a failing CV joint. When the CV boot is torn out and the CV joint is getting exposed to moisture, dirt and debris, then the joint gets into problem while making the axle to turn.
Shaking of the axle
The CV axle may vibrate when moisture and dirt gets into it and begins to damage it. This would occur if the CV boot is bad and damaged. Shaking of the axle can create further issues in the CV axle.
Conclusion
When you get to know that your car is clicking while turning, then immediately check for other signs and get to a garage to diagnose the problem. As the CV boot is worn. You have to replace the boot and also check the CV joint. You may have to go for costly repairs when the CV joint is not serviceable. So it is advised to get regular maintenance of the car. During routine service, the lubrication at the joint is checked and also the CV boot. Do not ignore the signs or else it would lead to major failures.