How to Diagnose CV Joints Failure and Repair Options

The CV joint in the cars are inspected during your annual inspection and is one of the most important functioning part of your car. If there is damage to the boot that protects the CV joint and Ranger Razor Axles, it is only a matter of time before dirt and contamination attract enter the boot and the CV joint becomes damaged as it dries out as the lubrication provided by the boot grease is insufficient.I've heard people say to replace the CV half shaft and others say CV joint. What's the difference?There are couple of options depending on the severity of the damage to the outer CV joint. The CV half shaft has the outer CV joint on one side and the inner CV joint on the other side which attaches to your transmission system. The inner joint rarely fails in comparison to the outer. Therefore most of the repairs are done for the outter CV joint and boot, without having to replace the entire CV shaft which leave you about $300 dollars poor for a original factory part.

What are my options for repair if I have symptoms of CV joint damage?

You have the option of replacing the entire CV axle half shaft or repair the boot along with the outter CV joint if necessary.. Outter CV joint and kit costs about hundred of dollars few of companies like American CV Store offers and involved the same procedure as when changing the CV boot alone as the joint has to be detached in both cases. If there is only a CV boot damage with no signs of failure, replace only the CV boot which will only cost $20 for the kit.

Checking CV joint failure

Get in your car and pull down both windows. As you make turns listen for loud clicking sounds from either side which will indicate a failing CV joint.

So what are the repercussions of driving with a failed CV joint?

When the CV joint fails, it will only be a matter of time before the ball joints break loose and the CV shaft will fall loose, resulting in the wheels failing to move. But why take a chance at being stranded in the middle of the highway when you can have it fixed in no time.

What You Should Know About Atv Cv Joints

What is a CV Joint? A CV joint is an abbreviation for a constant velocity joint. A CV joint is part of a drive shaft that attaches to the ATV's transmission at one end and the wheel at the other. They are designed to be able to bend in any direction while continuing to turn the wheels at a constant velocity. No matter what vehicle you drive, these joints make sure the inner workings or your ride are smooth and provide a calm driving experience. It is important to protect the CV joints at all times.

How Often do they Need to be Replaced?

Auto lovers, ATV lovers and UTV lovers alike, care about their machines and know the importance of replacing parts to maintain optimal performance. There are only a few instances where a CV joint would need to be replaced. In most cases, through normal wear and tear they simply get old and lose their function.A total breakdown for an ATV CV joint is not common, so with some simple knowledge you will have the ability to recognize when there is a problem and have enough time to replace it while your vehicle is still running.

How Do I Know if it Has Failed?

Two things that are important to remember: one is bad grease and another is loss of lubrication. These are both indications that your joint is failing. When you are driving and move into a turn and you hear a clicking sound, it most likely means your CV joint is worn out. The way to further confirm this is to put your car in reverse and drive backwards in a circle. If the sound seems louder as you do this, it means you will need to replace the damaged CV joint as soon as possible.

How do I Replace it?

It's more cost effective to replace the entire deteriorating axel assembly than just replacing the CV joint. 

ATVs most commonly come with a fully equipped axle assembly, this includes the CV joints and CV boots. The boots encase the ATV CV joint, protecting it from outside debris and are vital for the entire assembly to function properly. The axle assembly and the CV boots can also get damaged by road debris and other contaminants such as mud, which builds up in the undercarriage of the ATV. Proper care must be taken in order to avoid such problems.

 

Honda CV Joint

Polaris Scrambler 500 Specs

 
The Polaris Scrambler 500 4x4 is an all-terrain vehicle, or ATV, produced by Polaris Industries, a firm based in Medina, Minnesota. The 2011 Polaris Scrambler 500 is equipped with a 498cc high-output engine and can be automatically switched from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive mode when necessary. The vehicle also features an automatic transmission.

Powertrain

A 498 cc four-stroke, single-cylinder, water-cooled engine comes standard on the 2011 Polaris Scrambler 500. The ATV also comes with an On-Demand True all-wheel drive and four-wheel-drive drive system.

Physical Measurements and Capacities

The 2011 Polaris Scrambler 500 features a 48.5-inch wheelbase and is 75 inches long, 45 inches wide and 49 inches high. The ground clearance is 4.75 inches and the seat is 35 inches high. It weighs 559 pounds. The 2011 Polaris Scrambler 500 has a 4-gallon fuel tank. The vehicle is equipped with a hitch, which can tow up to 850 pounds of weight.

Other Specifications

This vehicle has a MacPherson strut front suspension with an 8.2-inch travel, and a progressive-rate swingarm rear suspension with a 10.5-inch travel. The ATV features four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes with a hydraulic rear foot brake. It is equipped with stamped steel wheels, and 23 x 8-12 front tires, and 22 x 11-10 rear tires.

Polaris Scrambler 500

Replacing Your Own ATV's Axle

Irregardless of whether you're a serious Pro ATV racer or your average kid ATV trail rider, if you actively ride, chances are, you've broken your ATV's axle before. Even for kids and especially youths, having the ATV axle bend or break is a pretty common thing, hence, we always a have a few of these parts locked up in the garage, just in case. It's a hassle to break it and then try to find it. So, if you actively ride your ATV and is prone to trying new tricks to impress gals in your neighborhood, then you should get a couple of spare ATV axles for those unfortunate moments. It's pretty common for kids to break their axles too especially the inexperienced ones because they don't completely know how to control their ATVs properly.

The way you install an ATV axle differs from ATV to ATV...it depends on the make and model of the ATV. However, if you take the popular Honda, this might be a general idea on how to install the ATV axle on it.
If you're looking to purchase ATV axles online, try doing a simple search on Google for 'ATV parts' or 'ranger razor axles'. We're sure you'll find some pretty reliable ATV part retailers out there.

The first thing you'll need to do is to put your ATV up on a stand and then remove all the tires. Remember to gather all the tools you need in order to install your ATV axle with you before you start. You don't want to remove all the parts and then discover you can't find a particular tool...and you'll end up with a taken-apart ATV awaiting further action until the needed tool is found! Usually, the next ATV part to come off will be the brake caliper - remove it and place it in a safe place.

Then work on removing the large hub nut next. Actually, on most Honda ATVs, you'll get ATV two hub nuts...one main nut and the other is the retaining nut. From the ATV's nut side, push the axle through the swingarm. This can be a challenge even for big blokes like us so, you might need some extra help here. Use of a rubber mallet will help tremendously. Remove the retaining clip and remove the ATV's hub nut off the axle...one at a time, please.

Now, the removal part is done. Get the new ATV axle ready and place it through the side where the ATV sprocket is. And since taking it out was a little tough, did you think it was going to be easy getting it in? Nnnaaahhh.... Anyway, thank goodness for the invention of the rubber mallet. Most new ATV axles will come with new sprockets, so, if that is the case, then you can remove and store or throw away the old ATV sprockets.

From here, you can reverse what you did by installing the ATV sprocket back in, then the rotor hub, then the ATV's brake caliper. This is followed by you sliding in the ATV's hub and then the stock hub nut. Remember to tighten the hub nut and the axle nuts before running the ATV. And then one more thing and you're done with it - insert new cotter pins and Viola....you've replaced your ATV's axle!

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