Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints

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Fri 20 May 2011 18:17
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - Jonno1

I have a 2002 Vauxhall Corsa C with 86,000 miles. This time last year I was warned by the dealer when I collected the MOT certificate for the car that both front CV joints were slightly worn and may need replacing before the next MOT. Last week I took the car to an independent garage for its MOT, and it passed with no mention of the worn joints. However I took the car for its 9th annual service to the same vauxhall dealer, who informed me that both front drive shafts are worn & noisy and would need replacing asap as there would be a safety risk if the driveshafts failed when the car would be driven at speed. At the moment, there is only a slight clicking noise from the front wheels when the car is driven forwards, but when turning corners, I can hear the clunking noises from the wheels. What would need replacing - driveshafts, cv joints or both? And is there a safety element here, if either the driveshafts or the joints failed when the car is driven at speed?

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Fri 20 May 2011 19:03
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - piston power

The cv joints are the end parts that go through the front hub replace these after all it's a bearing inside thats worn and when it fails you have no drive.

Parts are cheap and fitting also.

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Fri 20 May 2011 21:48
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - gordonbennet

I know it's no longer fashionable to perform any preventative maintenance, but here's what i'd do.

Anyway, you might well get another couple of years out the CV joints if you snip the large retaining clip of each dust cover, peel back and repack the joints with the correct (usually moly) grease, Castrol MS3 if my memory serves.

Once repacked use suitable cable ties to reseal the dust covers.

When i have FWD cars i do this as a matter of course.

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Fri 20 May 2011 23:58
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - bathtub tom

>>At the moment, there is only a slight clicking noise from the front wheels when the car is driven forwards, but when turning corners, I can hear the clunking noises from the wheels.

I think his joints may be beyond the re-packing stage gb.

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Sat 21 May 2011 17:34
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - gordonbennet
Quite likely Tom, i was trying to get through to the newer drivers who think cars are white goods and need no maintenance.

I think my joints are beyond saving too..:-)
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Wed 15 Jun 2011 15:40
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - Jonno1

Thanks to all for giving me some advice. I had the CV joints replaced about 3 weeks ago, but now whenever I engage 1st or 2nd gear there is a gentle 'thud' (coming from the driver's side of the engine bay?) . This doesn't happen much when changing to 4th or 5th gear, and doesn't happen at all when changing downwards though the gears. I also notice it first thing in the morning when reversing out of my drive, when I've engaged reverse gear and bring the clutch up. Does this sound like the clutch might need replacing soon?

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Wed 15 Jun 2011 16:14
Vauxhall Corsa C - Front drive shafts/CV joints - davmal
Could just be a little adjustment of the clutch (if possible), sounds like it's not completely clearing, or dragging excessively.

Edited by davmal on 15/06/2011 at 16:15

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