Masterparts offers durable, high-quality CV joints for sale at branches across South Africa and in Namibia. We also offer fast delivery.
What do the CV joints do in a car?
CV joints – or constant velocity joints – are responsible for a vehicle’s smooth, consistent driving performance.
They support a continuous transfer of power from the gearbox to the wheels. This consistency of torque ensures the car responds smoothly, even when accelerating and driving over rough, uneven roads.
Animation demonstrating how a CV joint works. Source: Wikimedia Commons (public domain).
By enabling constant wheel speed, and allowing for the up and down and side-to-side movement of the suspension and steering respectively, CV joints are key to maintaining the vehicle’s traction and stability, especially during sharp turns.
Most four-wheel drive cars are fitted with four CV joints – two for each drive shaft. The inner CV joint connects the drive shaft to the transmission. The outer joint connects the drive shaft to the wheel.
How do CV joints work?
The most common type of CV joint is the Rzeppa CVJ. It consists of:
- an outer race or housing connected to the output shaft
- a star-shaped inner race connected to the input shaft
- six large ball bearings
- a spherically designed cage.
The ball bearings sit in the internal grooves of the cup-shaped outer race. The inner race has external flutes that fit over the ball bearings, and into the centre of the joint.
The cage has openings that fit between the inner and outer races to hold the ball bearings in place. A grease-filled rubber boot is fitted over the joint as protection.
As the input shaft rotates, the ball bearings move up and down and side to side within the grooves to ensure the outer race rotates at the same consistent speed, notwithstanding the shaft’s angle.
Symptoms of a worn CV joint
Good quality CV joints are durable, and have an average lifespan of around 170,000 km. However, excessive wear, or a torn or damaged boot, can lead to total joint failure.
Signs to look out for include shuddering or vibrations when accelerating, or popping or clicking noises when turning the car.
A CV joint, with a split ABS tone ring. The housing, hub and ball bearings can also be seen. Source: Kiwiev, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Where to get CV joints from Masterparts
We offer a wide range of CV joints suitable for different automotive makes and models.
CV joints in and around Cape Town:
CV joints in Gauteng:
CV joints in KwaZulu-Natal:
CV joints in Namibia:
Along with CV joints, Masterparts supplies a full range of suspension, steering, engine, braking and electronic parts for cars. Contact us if there’s a part you need and we’ll do our best to help.
