Having a car trouble? Are you dealing with loud clicking noises? Or experiencing excessive vibration? Are you in need of a CV axle replacement? If you are, you are probably wondering how much it costs to repair a CV shaft or have it replaced. The average CV axle replacement cost ranges from $200 to $1,600. However, there are companies that offer a lower CV axle repair price such as YourMechanic, offering replacement services for as low as $140 to $974.
Below is a cost comparison for the usual offers of this particular car service.
| Company | Warranty | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Your Mechanic | 12 months | $500 – $1500 |
| Midas | 12 months | $500 – $1700 |
| Mr. Tire | 12 months | $500 – $1400 |
| Pep Boys | 12 months | $550 – $1900 |
| Walmart | 12 months | $300 – $1300 |
| Amazon | 12 months | 200 – $1200 |
What Are Axle Shafts?
Commonly known as CV axles or half-shafts, an axle shaft is what connects the gears and the wheels. It is a narrow car part that resembles a pole. These axles play part in the system as they allow the wheels to rotate. An end of the CV axle connects to the transmission while the other end connects to the vehicle’s wheel. When the transmission finally rotates the half-shafts, this will then rotate the wheels. Therefore, without these axles, the wheels will not rotate causing the car to not move.
Components of Axle Shafts
- Shafts
- CV joints
- Grease
- Boots (grease container)
The most typical problem when it comes to axle shafts is a torn boot. Since boots contain the grease, grease will be leaking out and without grease, the joints will be dry as there will be no lubrication from the grease; dirt may enter and eventually, the entire axle will be worn out. Note that it may not always be the boots that is the problem, other components may have a role to play too.
Just like getting sick, a car will also show symptoms when something is wrong with its system and if you are concerned with CV axle repair price, CV Axle replacement cost or costs to repair a CV shaft then it is important for you to determine if your car’s problem is really its CV axles or if it is something else. Below are useful ways to detect if your car is facing axle shaft problems.
- Whenever your car makes a turn, an obvious and loud clicking noise occurs in front or in the rear of the car. These clicking noises will also become more audible with sharper or faster turns.
- There is excessive vibration when driving. Vibration may increase when the speed of the vehicle also increases.
- You may notice the presence of grease on the tires or on the undersides of the vehicle. Additionally, a boot that is leaking may lead to a CV joint failure.
Now that we know how to detect a CV axle problem, it is important for us to also look into how we might acquire these problems or what experiences lead to this issue. Knowing the causes of the damage will surely help us prevent the issue next time.
There are several reasons as to why a CV axle or half-shafts become damaged. Listed below are some of these reasons; however, they may be more that are not mentioned.
- It is possible that overloading caused the damage or if the car has a bad carrier bearing, this can also be a reason for a damaged CV axle.
- If a car encountered a very unpleasant bump in the room, this may also lead to a broken axle.
- Neglect of proper car maintenance for the gears and other components may also contribute to a broken axle.
- Driving fast in hazardous conditions especially on roads with potholes and bumps or rough terrains may also cause the damage.
To know more about car problems, causes and symptoms you can click here
How Safe is it to Drive With a Broken CV Axle?
It is definitely not safe to drive with a broken CV axle as you might cause more damage to the car and/or even put yourself and your passengers in danger. If one of the axle is broken, it is recommended not to drive the car as it will be very dangerous; however, if both axles are broken, chances are your car will not be able to move much since they aid in the rotation of the wheels. When dealing with this problem, always make sure you call for a professional mechanic to help you out. If you suspect a problem in your CV axle, keep in mind that time and safety are of the essence. Do not try to fix it by yourself as you will risk more damage and do not delay the repair services needed by your car. Doing these may only cause more damage to the car which, in turn, will give you more inconvenience.
Indeed, at first glance, the CV axle repair price or CV Axle replacement cost may come off as quite expensive but if you make a cost and benefit analysis, you will find that the cost to repair a CV shaft is very much reasonable as it will ensure your safety and it offers warranty. After all, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Undeniably, the costs for the repair and replacements of CV axles are surely much less than the cost of a life and that is what matters more.