posted on February 23, 2006 10:01:21 PM
My car is brutal on cv joints, according to my dealer. I've had them replaced 5 times in 10 years and they're expensive. Does anyone know if that's normal? Last time I had them replaced, the car felt worse than before I took it in. It's a Subaru (all wheel drive) and I take it to the only Subaru dealer in town. Any suggestions?
posted on February 24, 2006 03:51:10 AM
Sounda crazy but the next time you see someone in a parking lot that drives a Subaru - ask where they take it. I used to have a Rabbit convertible that I took into the shop one day because it was making a strange noise. The guy calls me, says it's fixed, I get in the car and it spitting white smoke everywhere. The guy told me it was fine - just steam. Yeah right. I told him to stand behind the car then started it up and enveloped him in the smoke. Got out, walked up and smelled his shirt. "That doesn't smell like steam to me buddy". Noe I suddenly have a blown head gasket which makes no sense. The guy tells me "Well you can go to bed feeling fine andwake up with a cold" I told him that me car went in with a cold and came out with full blown AIDS. ONe of the gas customers there walked up to me when he left and told me to get my car and drive down the street to his mechanic who turned out to be a dream. Incredibly honest, always helpful. Oh, and the strange noise I heard... it was inherent to the Rabbit. It was the timing belt.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on February 24, 2006 04:44:35 AM
kraft, the CV joint has a rubber boot around it to hold in the grease it's packed in...if the boot cracks the grease leaks out and the joint will wear out prematurely..is it possible your weather or salt on the roads or something is causing those boots to fail? With dilligent checking you can catch a cracked boot before the joint wears out and then you only have to replace the boot. A dealer would much rather sell you a whole joint kit than just a boot replacement. Lots more in labor charges.
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posted on February 24, 2006 10:09:36 AM
No need to have CV joints replaced that often, unless, you are driving a 100-thousand miles or more a year. The following statement may explain part of your problem:
"I take it to the only Subaru dealer in town."
The likelihood that CV joints are wearing simultaneously to the point of failure or needing replacement, is slim. Find another mechanic!
posted on February 24, 2006 10:13:28 AM
kraft- all cars are different. my mom has a nissan that the breaks wear out pretty quickly. it may be normal, but the CV joints can be protected just as everyone else suggested by having them checked for cracks.
Generally, here is what happens. The rubber boot protects the joint from dirt, grime, water, etc. Once the boot is compromised you will get all that gunk into the joints and then it begins to freeze up the joint. If you live on a dirt road, or drive in the country alot, you may find this is the cause for the constant replacement. Maintenance of the boot will save you alot. Also, I recommend finding a high performance Subaru parts place and see if they recommend using a high performance boot replacement. Many times a manufacturers part is meant to wear out quickly, so they can make more money on ya.
Also, a good recommendation is to post on Craigslist in your area asking other Subaru owners who they recommend. I drive a Volvo, and have only one mechanic. He is the best. When I was broke, and stressed b/c my girlfriend was in the hospital going through chemo, Mitch told me to buy my parts off eBay and he would install them for free. What other mechanic do you know would do that? Buying the parts through him would have cost me $1000, instead I paid about $300 and my car has been running perfect ever since. 217,000 miles!!!! I owe him alot, and will only take my car there. He rep around town is great and he's a blue blooded liberal from San Antonio, Texas. lol.
[ edited by rustygumbo on Feb 24, 2006 10:16 AM ]
posted on February 24, 2006 10:15:51 AM
Why are mechanics a "Man's" thing? I have never known a woman mechanic or even one that can work on her own car.. wonder why that is?
posted on February 24, 2006 02:03:18 PM
Thanks for your suggestions. (You're all always so logical when you're not talking politics.)
As for the boots, I think they just replace the boots and not the joints, but I have no proof. The car still shimmys when you're driving, and shakes when you go around corners. That's why I took it in in the first place. They replaced the joints and boots (so they say) and when I took it back after a month of it still doing the same thing, they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. The brakes have all been done and the tires are fine and balanced.
Bear, I don't hear a clicking sound, just shaking (the steering wheel) when I turn a corner.
posted on February 24, 2006 04:55:23 PM
Kraft, wheels that shimmy a]typicaly indicate either an alignment is needed, the tires are out of balance or front end parts like tie rods are worn out.
Take it sonewhere else (a major tire dealer) and have the front end looked at.
"“More Iraqis think things are going well in Iraq than Americans do. I guess they don’t get the New York Times over there.”—Jay Leno".
