2016 Chevrolet Sonic Axle Shaft Repair
About this episode
A 2016 Chevrolet Sonic experienced a failure where the left outer CV joint completely broke apart, causing the vehicle to be immobile despite the transmission functioning. The discussion covers the symptoms of a failing CV joint, such as clicking noises during tight turns, and explains why the entire axle shaft must be replaced rather than just the joint. The hosts also touch on the rarity of complete CV joint failure and differences in wear between front-wheel and rear-wheel drive vehicles. Visuals of the damaged parts and maintenance advice are shared.
Chevrolet Sonic
"So, today's guest is a 2016 Chevrolet Sonic. What was going on with this vehicle?"
The Chevrolet Sonic is a small car made by Chevrolet. The 2016 version means the car was made in that year and has features from that time.
The Chevrolet Sonic is a subcompact car produced by Chevrolet. The 2016 model year refers to a specific generation of this car known for its small size and economical performance.
CV joint
"We found the left outer CV joint had basically blown apart. And of course, what happens is when you put it into drive or reverse, the transmission goes to turn the axles..."
A CV joint is a part that helps the car's wheels turn smoothly even when the car moves over bumps or turns. If it breaks, the car might make noises and not move properly.
A CV (constant velocity) joint is a part of the axle assembly that allows the axle to transmit power smoothly while accommodating the up-and-down motion of the suspension and steering. Damage to the CV joint can cause noises and loss of power to the wheels.
axle shaft
"So the vehicle doesn't move. It's basically the axle shaft is connected to a bunch of broken bits inside the CV joint."
The axle shaft is a rod that helps turn the car's wheels by carrying power from the engine. It works with other parts to make the car move.
The axle shaft is the component that transmits power from the transmission or differential to the wheels. It connects to the CV joint and rotates to move the vehicle.
boot
"Oh, there's our problem. That boot should not be off like that."
A boot is a rubber cover that protects parts of the axle from dirt and keeps grease inside. If it breaks, the axle parts can get damaged.
A boot is a protective rubber cover that seals the CV joint to keep grease in and dirt out. If the boot is damaged or off, it can cause the CV joint to fail.
complete axle replacement
"And so that's a complete axle shaft. Of course, we replaced the whole unit. There was a time when you could buy individual CV joints and just replace them by nowadays. It's a complete axle job and axles are not very expensive like they were at one time."
Sometimes, instead of fixing just one part, mechanics replace the whole axle part because it's easier and not too expensive.
Complete axle replacement refers to replacing the entire axle shaft assembly rather than repairing individual components like CV joints, which is common today due to cost and labor efficiency.
ball bearings
"looking inside the outer CV joint. And what should be in there is a couple of nice little beautifully machined pieces of metal, six ball bearings, which are kind of hard to see"
Ball bearings are tiny round balls inside the axle that help it turn smoothly without getting stuck or worn out.
Ball bearings are small spherical components inside the CV joint that allow smooth rotation by reducing friction between moving parts.
grease
"metal, six ball bearings, which are kind of hard to see and it's packed full of grease. But what we have here is a pudding of grease and broken metal parts."
Grease is a thick oily stuff inside the axle parts that helps them move smoothly without rubbing too much. If it leaks out, the parts can break.
Grease is a lubricant packed inside CV joints to reduce friction and wear between moving parts. Loss of grease due to boot damage leads to joint failure.
rear-wheel steering
""I know there's some new fancy EVs out there that have quite aggressive rear-wheel steering... I know some high-end Mercedes have rear-wheel steering. It's pretty cool on some of their EVs.""
Rear-wheel steering means the back wheels of a car can turn a little bit to help the car turn better and drive more smoothly. Some fancy cars and electric cars have this feature to make driving easier and safer.
Rear-wheel steering is a technology where the rear wheels of a vehicle can turn slightly to improve handling, stability, and maneuverability, especially at low or high speeds. It is used in some modern vehicles, including electric vehicles and high-end Mercedes models, to enhance driving dynamics.
constant velocity joint
""So if you're looking for service because you've got clicking in your front end, you need service for your, what do we call this, the constant velocity joint, the CV joint, the front end of your car...""
A CV joint is a part in your car that helps the wheels turn smoothly even when the car goes over bumps or turns corners. If it makes clicking noises, it might need fixing.
A constant velocity (CV) joint is a flexible coupling found in front-wheel drive and some all-wheel drive vehicles that allows the drive shaft to transmit power smoothly while accommodating the up-and-down motion of the suspension and steering movements. Clicking noises from the front end often indicate a worn or damaged CV joint.
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