Ford Transit CV Gaiter Replacement in Walsall After Knocking on Turns
A 2021 Ford Transit came into us recently with a knocking noise the driver had been noticing every time he turned the wheel. It was not constant, it only appeared on turns, and that pattern alone told us a fair amount before we had even lifted the van. We got it on the ramp, removed the wheels and went straight to the driveshaft to find out what was going on.
A Split CV Gaiter Had Left the Driveshaft Joint Running Without Grease
When we inspected the driveshaft we found the CV gaiters had split on both sides. A CV gaiter is the rubber boot that wraps around the CV joint, which is the part of the driveshaft that allows the wheel to turn left and right while still receiving drive from the engine. The gaiter has one job, to keep a precise amount of grease packed inside the joint and to keep road dirt, grit and water out. Once it tears, the grease escapes and contamination gets in. On this van the gaiters had ripped and grease had been thrown out across the surrounding components. The joints themselves had been running dry for some time and the internal bearing surfaces were showing wear as a result. That wear is what was producing the knocking noise on turns.
Leaving a Torn CV Gaiter Turns a Low Cost Repair Into a Driveshaft Replacement
This is a fault that gets significantly more expensive the longer it is left. A CV gaiter replacement is a straightforward repair at a fraction of the cost of a full driveshaft. But once the joint runs dry and the metal surfaces inside begin to wear against each other, the joint itself deteriorates to the point where it cannot be saved. At that stage you are not paying for gaiters, you are paying for a complete driveshaft replacement, which on a Transit is a considerably larger job. There is also a safety element here. A CV joint that has worn past a certain point can fail under load, and if that happens while the van is moving it can affect the driver's ability to control the vehicle. For a van that may be carrying tools, stock or passengers, that is not a risk worth taking.
We Replaced the CV Gaiters and Road Tested the Transit Before It Left
We replaced the CV gaiters on the driveshaft, regreased the joints with the correct quantity of CV grease and torqued everything back to the manufacturer's specification. Once reassembled we road tested the van through a range of steering inputs, including tight low speed turns where the noise had been most noticeable, to confirm the knock had gone. The van went back to the owner the same day and the repair saved him from a driveshaft replacement that would have cost considerably more.
If Your Van Is Knocking on Turns, Book It In With Us in Walsall Before the Cost Grows
CV gaiter faults are one of those repairs where catching it early makes a real difference to what you pay. The sign to watch for is a knocking or clicking noise that appears when you turn the wheel, particularly at low speed on full or near full lock, such as when pulling out of a junction or manoeuvring in a yard. If the noise is there on one side, it tends to be worse turning in one direction than the other. If you are hearing anything like that on your car or van, do not leave it to get worse.
At Platinum Vehicle Services in Walsall we work on a wide range of vehicles including Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen, covering everything from routine servicing and MOTs through to suspension, brakes, engine work and driveshaft repairs. You can leave us a message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 07970901354 and someone from the team will get back to you as soon as possible. You can also find out more and book in at platinumvehicleservices.co.uk.
