Expert Transmission Guide: common issues, diagnostics and repairs

CV boot failure

What are the symptoms of driveshaft boot failure?

• Noise
• Grease leakage , which normally transfers to the suspension and ground

What are the possible failures of a CV boot?

• CV boot damage
• Torn or cut boot
• Boot abrasion
• Reversing the boot
• Damage to the clamp
• Clamp rotation

Why is the driveshaft  boot damaged?

• External stresses on the boot
• Internal damage if the product degrades,  damage to one or more of the internal components (nuts, balls, loss of material due to friction, etc.)
• Too much wheel lock/friction
• Extreme conditions of use (not recommended by the manufacturer) such as steering, extreme speed, very low or very high temperatures, etc.
• Damage to boot collar / collar tightened incorrectly

What should I do if the universal joint boot fails?

• Replace the boots if it is damaged externally or internally and fill with grease.
• Replace the collar and fill with grease
• Check tightening torque recommendations
• Keep the grease inside the boot to ensure it is correctly lubricated
• Protecting the seal from the outside environment

Endurance failure

What happens in the event of a transmission endurance failure?

• Noise
• Vibrations in the steering wheel
• Vibrations in the floor and/or dashboard

What are the consequences of a transmission endurance failure?

• Degradation of the contact surfaces, causing noise and vibrations
• Degradation of the surface heat treatment – flaking, seizure, loss of material
• Fracture of the bell spindle
• Fracture of part of the bell
• Fracture of part of the shaft

Why does the transmission suffer an endurance failure?

• Transmission of very high and/or very frequent torque loads, which fatigues and degrades the material more quickly
• Corrosion
• Poor interfacing with the hub
• Excessive tension with the joint spindle

What should be done in the event of a transmission endurance failure?

• If the shaft is damaged, replace the complete transmission as well as the lock nut (available in our DK kits).
• If one of the joints is damaged, replace the complete joint kit (bell, boot, clamp, grease, circlip, etc.) and fill the joint with grease.