You must maintain the vehicle’s proper CV axle angle to ensure smooth side-to-side moving of the CV joint when turning the wheel. So, whether you are an off-road driver or often drive the vehicle in rough conditions, you should know how to correct CV axle angle.
You can adjust the CV axle joint simply by dropping or lifting the torsion bar. If you keep driving with inaccurate CV axle angle, it can cause quick wear out on the tire, rough riding, and difficulty in handling the vehicle.
Article Summary
What is Improper CV Axle Angle Mean?
The proper CV axle angle is vital for ensuring optimum performance and vehicle’s longevity. It transfers the transmission’s power to the wheels and maintains a consistent speed while turning the wheel. A CV axle should be at a 22 to 30-degree angle.
This range helps transfer power efficiently and reduces component stress. If the axle’s angle deviates excessively from the recommended range, it can result in various problems. For example, too steep or too shallow CV axle angle can excessive wear and damage various parts like boots and joints.
Improper CV angle isn’t a big problem particularly if the truck sit level with the wheels pointed straight. The problem occurs during turning the wheel toward the lock, the wheel extending the bump’s top or driving over a drop-off. In these cases, the outer joints can extend the limit of the bending ability and get damaged.
The CV axle angles also aren’t much important in normal driving a paved road in 2WD. However, after putting the front axle in and applying power through the CV, it can cause wear inside the axles. It can also trouble you if need to turn the wheel sharply to avoid obstacles.
How To Correct CV Axle Angle?
Firstly park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage its brake. Raise the vehicle using a jack so you can get easier access under it. Take the tire and wheel assembly out so the CV axle is exposed. Use a protractor to remove the inner CV joint to measure the angle.
1. Drop the Torsion Bars
If you need to reduce the angle, drop the torsion bars. Remember, UCA’s and levelling kit won’t help with angle adjustment. Lowering the ride height can help you get better CV axle angles. You may also deal with the tire and wheel combo to get the CV axle angle within the recommended range.
2. Make the Angle Correct
If you need to lift the CV axle to make the angle correct, consider the range carefully, lifting the CV axle 2 inches is very bad and cause an immediate issue like carrier diff vibes. Though 3 inches won’t cause any huge issue, 4 inches may make it hard for the CV axle to function properly. 5 to 6 inches is huge but won’t cause any big CV axle problem.
3. Increase the CV Angles
To increase the CV angles, lift the diff with the bracket until you get the desired angle. Make sure the angle is upright on the ground. After making the required adjustments, re-install the inner CV joints firmly into place.
Can A Bad CV Axle Makes Car Vibration?
The vehicle’s wheel maintains constant motion instead of just rolling. Hence transmission requires a way to deliver its go-power to the wheels in a movable and flexible way. CV axles (Constant Velocity Axles) help transmission to drive the wheel of the car and open up the motions with bearings. If the CV axles get damaged or displaced, it can cause various consequences including noticeable car shaking while driving.
The CV axle angle can also get wrong if the front axle brake down. Hence the drive shaft’s part that is attached to the wheel can hit the suspension. It can make it hard to rotate the right wheel to the side and cause vibration. However, the car can also shake due to unbalance tires and separated treads that require deed diagnosing.
Can You Drive With A Bad CV Axle Assembly?
It depends on the severity of the displaced CV axle or its condition. If the CV axle is broken completely or displaced completely, you can drive in this condition. You can also drive a few thousand miles with bad CV axles if it leaks lubricant but doesn’t become noisy.
But if the CV axle tends to displacing and making a little bit of noise while turning the wheel, you can drive for a while. Be careful if the CV axles make a clicking noise and feel like clunking, it can fail any time.
If the car makes noise while going straight, fix the problem immediately before you trapped on the roadside or cause an accident.
CV axles may also wear out and cause annoying noise and clicking at manoeuvring speed. In this case, you can drive the car for a while particularly if not make a sharp turn. To fix the problem, you may need to replace the axle.
FAQs
How much CV angle is too much?
CV joint manufacturers state that the maximum operating angle is 30 degrees. The steering angle of 4x4s doesn’t exceed this measurement while most truck CV axle maintains 22 to 23 degree of angle.
How do you measure CV angle?
If your car has a back angle, jack the car either from the front or rear so there is no back angle while measuring the CV axle angle. Then measure the CV axle angle and add ½ inch for every degree of back angle.
How do determine if the CV axle is seated correctly?
You can apply plenty of methods to detect if your car’s CV axle angle is seated in place or not. Check the tiny gap between the transmission and CV joint or the vibration of the car while moving. You can also hear strange noises from the driveshaft while moving the vehicle.
Final Words
After knowing how to correct CV axle angle, you should now be able to maintain the correct angle whenever it is displaced. However, don’t make the angle too small or big as it can make the driving rough and make it challenging the handle the vehicle.
Lastly, if you hear a clinking clunking sound or excess vibration, and the car doesn’t move backward or forward, check the CV axle angle.
I was getting power lose while turning my car. Then I found that CV axle can be probable cause. Roberts helped me to adjust CV axle angle and now I’m driving smoothly. Thanks