CV joint cages come in different forms, but the basic purpose of these products is to protect the CV joint. Having a CV joint cage is essential to the safety of your vehicle. This is because the CV joint is the most vulnerable part of your car. The joints have to bear the pressure of both the engine and the chassis. Without a cage, the joints would crack and the motor could be ruined.
Outboard CV joint vs inboard CV joint
CV (constant velocity) joints are used to transfer power from the engine to the wheels. They are usually located on the axle shaft. During cornering, the CV joint makes a lot of noise.
The design of the joints allows the shaft to rotate in a circle as the wheel turns. Depending on the type of CV joint, it can make noise in both directions. An outboard CV joint is more noticeable in reverse. However, it has the advantage of providing a large articulation angle. This makes it a good choice for rear wheel drive cars.
The most common type of CV joint is the ball type. This joint includes six ball bearings arranged in a cage. There is a plastic or rubber boot that seals the joint. A snap-ring is also a feature of this joint. It prevents the joint from sliding out of the housing.
Another type of CV joint is the Rzeppa joint. This is also referred to as a tripod joint. Although it is more commonly used for inboard vehicles, it is also suitable for outboard applications.
Design
There is a CV joint, which consists of a spherical inner race, a cage, and a shaft. These are designed to articulate to enable compression and extension. They are also used to transmit torque to a wheel.
CV joints are commonly used in industrial applications. They are a good choice for applications requiring high-velocity power transmission. The joints are also effective in working at acute angles, unlike U-joints. However, they are susceptible to fatigue. In particular, wear and tear on the balls, the cage, and the case of the joint can lead to premature failure.
For example, in an inboard CV joint, the input shaft fits in a groove in the centre of a sphere containing two balls. Balls are also inserted into grooves on the cage, and the cage is positioned over them to retain them.
The outer race is swivelable on the ball and inner race assembly. The joint can articulate to achieve a plunge motion of about 50mm.
Common problems
If you are having problems with your CV joint, you need to get it fixed right away. It can cause a lot of trouble, and it can also be dangerous. You will have to replace your CV joint.
There are a number of things that can cause your CV joint to fail. Some of these include aging, excessive usage, and even terrain. A bad CV joint can reduce your vehicle's efficiency and performance.
A CV joint is composed of a ball and socket. It is located near the wheel hub, and it works like a wheel. In order to rotate, the joint needs to be well lubricated. This can be done by using a protective boot that is placed around the joint. However, if this boot is damaged, it can leak grease and dirt into the joint.
Besides being a safety precaution, this boot is also meant to keep moisture and dirt out. So, if it starts leaking, the resulting corrosion will damage the joint.
Repairing a CV joint
CV joint cages need to be inspected, repaired or replaced as soon as possible. Leaks or damage can lead to dirt and water entering the boots. Wear and tear can also cause them to break down. The pressure inside the CV joints can force the boot to come off the body of the joint.
Check the joint for worn grooves. If you notice the grooves are worn, it is a good indication that the joint may be failing.
The first step in repairing a CV joint cage is to clean out the joint. Use disposable rags to remove dirt and grease. You can then use brake cleaner to clean the housing.
After the joint is cleaned, you can remove the outer bearing race. An angle grinder can be used to remove the race from the cage.
Before removing the race, you need to remove the boot clamps. Failure to do this will let dirt and water in and will also make the boot leak.