What You Should Know About Honda CV Joints

!±8± What You Should Know About Honda CV Joints

ATV enthusiasts are extremely passionate about the mechanics of their vehicle and rightfully so. An ATV is a powerful piece of machinery and requires great care and attention. While you do not have to be a grease monkey to know everything about it, there are certain aspects of the ATV everyone should be familiar with regardless of their past experience.

An ATV is no different than any other automobile and follows the same principles. There are certain parts of the ATV that should be checked on a regular basis in order to ensure that it performs at optimal levels, in particularly the Axle Assembly and the CV Joints.

Honda ATVs are very popular just like their motorcycles and automobiles. This article will use Honda ATVs as a reference.

The Axle Assembly and Honda CV Joint - An Important Part

The axle assembly of a Honda model ATV is used to shift power from the transmission to the wheels. This is also the place where the Constant Velocity Joint or the CV joint is located. 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 drive wheels at a constant velocity and are primarily used in front wheel drive vehicles. Because of this, it is very important to protect the CV joints at all times.

The CV Boot - Protector of the Joints

The Honda CV joint in most ATVs is covered with a rubber boot known as the CV Boot. This boot protects the joints from harmful materials. As time goes by, the CV boot begins to deteriorate exposing the CV joint to elements that can inflict damage to it. Therefore, it must be replaced with a new one in order to extend the life of the CV joint. If left unchecked, the joint or the entire axle may get damaged and will need to be replaced.

Repair Solutions and Precautions

Replacing the entire deteriorating axle assembly would be a more practical and cost efficient solution than just replacing the CV joints. Doing so will also save time and labor. Honda ATV's today come with a fully equipped axle assembly with CV boots and Joints. These boots are vital for the entire assembly to function properly. The axle assembly and the Honda CV boots can also get damaged by road debris and other contaminants such as mud which can build up in the undercarriage of the ATV. This could lead to debris getting inside the seals, letting oil seep though the Honda CV joints. Hence, proper care must be taken in order to avoid such problems.

A decline in ATV performance is a clear indicator that the Honda CV boot or the axle assembly is malfunctioning. Exactly which one would depend on how vigorously the ATV is used and more importantly, how well it is maintained.