Clicking Noise When Turning?
CV Joint Repair When You Need It
That Clicking Sound Isn't Your Turn Signal
Hearing a clicking or popping noise when you turn, especially from parking lots or driveways? That sound is probably coming from your CV joints, and it's your car's way of telling you something needs attention before it gets worse.
CV joints might sound complicated, but they're basically the parts that let your wheels turn while still getting power from your engine. When they start to fail, you'll definitely notice—and if you ignore the problem too long, what could be a moderate repair can turn into a much bigger expense.
What Are CV Joints and Why Do They Matter?
CV stands for "constant velocity," and these joints do exactly what their name suggests—they keep power flowing to your wheels at a constant rate, even when you're turning or going over bumps. Every front-wheel drive car has them, and many all-wheel drive vehicles use them too.
Each CV joint is protected by a rubber boot that keeps the grease in and dirt and water out. When that boot tears (which they all do eventually), the joint loses its lubrication and starts wearing out quickly.
Signs Your CV Joints Need Help
Clicking or Popping on Turns This is the classic CV joint symptom. The noise is usually more noticeable when turning from a parking spot or making sharp turns at low speeds.
Torn or Damaged CV Boots If you can see grease splattered around your wheels or torn rubber boots during an oil change, your CV joints are probably on borrowed time.
Vibration While Driving Worn CV joints can cause vibration, especially during acceleration. It might feel like it's coming from the wheels.
Grease on the Inside of Your Wheels When CV boots tear, the grease gets thrown around. If you notice dark grease on the inside of your wheels, that's a telltale sign.
When to Fix CV Joint Problems
Torn Boot, Good Joint If we catch a torn boot early—before dirt and moisture have contaminated the joint—sometimes we can just replace the boot and save the joint. This is much less expensive than replacing the whole assembly.
Worn CV Joint Once the joint itself is damaged, the most reliable fix is usually replacing the entire half-shaft assembly. This ensures you get a properly functioning unit that will last.
Complete Axle Replacement In some cases, especially on higher-mileage vehicles, it makes sense to replace the entire axle assembly. We'll recommend whatever gives you the best value and reliability.
Why Address CV Joint Problems Quickly
Prevent Further Damage A failed CV joint can leave you stranded and potentially damage other drivetrain components.
Safety Concerns CV joints are crucial for maintaining control of your vehicle, especially during turns and acceleration.
Cost Savings Catching a torn boot early can save hundreds of dollars compared to waiting until the joint itself fails.
Our CV Joint Services
Inspection and Diagnosis We'll check your CV joints and boots during routine maintenance, or if you're hearing suspicious noises, we can diagnose the problem quickly.
Boot Replacement When boots are torn but joints are still good, boot replacement can extend the life of your CV joints significantly.
CV Joint Replacement For worn or damaged joints, we replace the entire half-shaft assembly with quality parts designed for your vehicle.
Complete Axle Service Sometimes replacing both sides at once makes sense, especially if your vehicle has high mileage or both sides are showing wear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do CV joints last? Most CV joints last 80,000-120,000 miles, but driving conditions make a big difference. Lots of turning (like city driving or tight parking lots) can wear them faster.
Is it safe to drive with clicking CV joints? For a little while, yes, but don't wait too long. A completely failed CV joint will leave you unable to move, and you might be stuck somewhere inconvenient.
Do I need to replace both sides at once? Not necessarily, but if one side has failed and your car has high mileage, the other side might not be far behind. We'll check both sides and give you honest advice about what makes sense.
Don't Let That Click Turn Into a Clunk
CV joint problems only get worse with time, and what starts as an annoying noise can turn into being stranded. Our team here in Oklahoma City can diagnose your CV joint issues quickly and get you back to quiet, smooth driving.
🔧 Hearing clicking noises when you turn? Call us today for a CV joint inspection.