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 off-road or often drive a vehicle in rough conditions, you should know how to correct CV axle angle.
You can simply adjust the CV axle joint by dropping or lifting the torsion bar. If you keep driving with an inaccurate CV axle angle, it can cause quick wear out on the tire, rough riding, and difficulty handling the vehicle.
Article Summary
What is Improper CV Axle Angle Mean?
The proper CV axle angle ensures optimum performance and the 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, a CV axle angle that is too steep or too shallow can cause excessive wear and damage to various parts like boots and joints.
Improper CV angle isn’t a big problem, particularly if the truck sits level with the wheels pointed straight.
The problem occurs when 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 are also unimportant when driving a paved road in 2WD. However, putting the front axle in and applying power through the CV can cause wear inside the axles. It can also trouble you if you 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 to get easier access under it. Take the tire and wheel assembly out so the CV axle is exposed. A protractor removes the inner CV joint and measures the angle.
1. Inspect Suspension Components
Look at the suspension and parts. Lifting or lowering the car can alter the CV axle angle. You’ll want to make sure that everything strut springs control arms is spick and span manufacturer recommendations.
2. Adjust Vehicle Height
Dropping the stock height can solve CV angle problems in lifted or lowered cars. If you don’t want to lose that angle, use a CV axle spacer or adjustable suspension parts.
3. Drop the Torsion Bars
If you need to reduce the angle, drop the torsion bars. Remember, UCA’s and leveling 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.
4. Check For Worn Parts
Worn suspension parts like bushings or control arm brackets can sometimes cause a bad angle. These can be replaced for a better fit.
5. Make the Angle Correct
Consider the range carefully if you need to lift the CV axle to make the angle correct. Lifting the CV axle 2 inches is very bad and causes 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.
6. 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 movable and flexibly.
CV axles (Constant Velocity Axles) help transmission drive the car’s wheel 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 breaks down. Hence, the drive shaft’s part 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 unbalanced tires and separated treads that require proper diagnosing.
Can You Drive With A Bad CV Axle Assembly?
It depends on the severity of the displaced CV axle or its condition. You can drive in this condition if the CV axle is broken or displaced. 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 be displacing and making a little 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 at any time.
If the car makes noise while going straight, fix the problem immediately before you get trapped on the roadside or cause an accident.
CV axles may also wear out and cause annoying noise and clicking at maneuvering speed. In this case, you can drive the car for a while, particularly if you do not make a sharp turn. To fix the problem, you may need to replace the axle.
FAQs on How To Correct CV Axle Angle
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 degrees 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 You Determine If the CV Axle is Seated Correctly?
You can apply plenty of methods to detect whether your car’s CV axle angle is seated in place. Check the tiny gap between the transmission and CV joint or the car’s vibration while moving. You can also hear strange noises from the driveshaft while moving the vehicle.
What Causes a CV Axle Angle To Become Misaligned?
CV axle angles can get misaligned if the vehicle is lifted or modified, in the case of off-road or lifted trucks and SUVs. If you increase the suspension, the angle of the axles increases, and the CV joints experience more wear. Even normal wear and tear will cause misalignment with time, resulting in vibrations, etc.
Why is a Correct CV Axle Angle Important?
Getting the CV axle angle right is important to reduce the tension on the CV joints, which attach the axle to the wheels. The chaos could lead to vibrations, deterioration of joints, and even axle failure. Keep the angle within the suggested limits, and your car will feel smoother, have better components, and perform better.
Final Words
After knowing how to correct the 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 to 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