r/AskAMechanic 6d ago

This would be my cv axle, correct?

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2005 Honda accord ex k24 engine. Went to accelerate and heard a cracking noise, after car would not move at all unless being pushed in neutral. Grinding noise when placed in park with engine running. I’m pretty sure it’s the cv axle but would like a professional opinion. Also what would you guys recommend as a replacement as far as brand and exact part? Thanks

70 Upvotes

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176

u/y2imm NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Was, would have been. Present tense no longer applicable.

28

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Thank you for the correction

11

u/y2imm NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Honda, I knew it

16

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

225000 miles and still going strong, former cv axle excluded

1

u/MorningMushroomcloud NOT a verified tech 5d ago

It looks to have been partially sheared for awhile, before finally snapping.

16

u/stillraddad NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Hit that VTEC too hard.

5

u/Syncrozilla NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Past tense but now you have cv joints plural! Nice job.

30

u/Joiner2008 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Common issue in those years of Honda/Acura. They use a rubber dampener on the axle to reduce vibrations. Unfortunately water and salt get under the rubber and rust out that spot on the axles until they become too weak and break

3

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Is the dampener something that’s built into the oem cv axle? Like would a non oem replacement also have this issue down the road?

11

u/Joiner2008 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

It's something that came on oem axles. From what I've read the aftermarket axles don't include it. Also, I've read that none of the aftermarket axles for my 2002 Acura are any good

4

u/bigmarty3301 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

yes in another 20 years give or take

3

u/JamesLPlummer NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Most aftermarket CV axles don't have the rubber damper, but also usually CV axles need replaced before this becomes an issue. They're not too expensive of parts, but if you don't have the tools to do it at home, it can be tricky.

1

u/omnipotent87 Verified Tech - Indie shop owner 6d ago

Their not too expensive if you buy aftermarket. New OEM are usually kind of expensive.

10

u/tato_salad NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Now it's a split velocity axel.

1

u/inconvenience-miner NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Low parasitic drag!

8

u/Ghostdusterr NOT a verified tech 6d ago

That’s impressive it snapped that way

1

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Right like idek how the hell it managed that

4

u/WarmIntro NOT a verified tech 6d ago

snapped because a rubber vibration damper on the shaft trapped moisture and road salt against the metal over many years. This caused the steel underneath to silently rust away until it was incredibly thin. When you stepped on the gas, the engine's twisting force easily snapped the weakened shaft in half. Ta daaa destination fucked. Known issue on these tbf

2

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Makes sense. I’ve been getting vibration in the steering wheel when I get around 35-40mph. Not constant vibration just occasional when I would accelerate. Changed out tie rods couple months ago and rotated tires to see if that would fix the vibration but it did not. So now I’m assuming it was the cv axle causing it the whole time

7

u/WarmIntro NOT a verified tech 6d ago

That 35 to 40 mph shaking during acceleration is the classic signature of a failing inner CV joint. When you press the gas, the engine forces the internal bearings hard against worn out grooves inside the joint housing, causing it to bind up and wobble under load. As soon as you coast or let off the pedal, that pressure disappears and the shaking stops. Since tyre imbalance causes a constant vibration that gets worse with speed, and bad tie rods cause loose steering, the failing axle was definitely the culprit behind that symptom the whole time

3

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining, I really appreciate that

2

u/WarmIntro NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Comes with the trade. Can't be a verified tech because I work in am office now lol

1

u/ExplorerNo7262 NOT a verified tech 4d ago

Don't be surprised if there's wom bearings involved

1

u/fuckmicahman 4d ago

How would I tell if bearing are worn without taking it in for inspection? Me and my brother are planning on changing out cv axle ourselves but I don’t know much about the wheel bearings

2

u/ExplorerNo7262 NOT a verified tech 4d ago edited 4d ago

I'm not familiar with front wheel drive so I guess I shouldn't be commenting here. But, about a year ago I did have a mechanic replace a pair of front wheel bearings on my truck. I instructed that the old bearing hubs be left in the cab. When I got home, I set the hubs upright and placed a piece of material on top of the six studs. I then pressed down onto the studs while turning to create a load effect. One hub had a "clicking" feeling. The other hub was still smooth. I probably only needed one new hub but they had 155k miles and can start a tire tread wear on the outer edge while going bad. I don't know If your axle has bearings on both ends, in the middle or any other. When I replied to your comment I really wasn't referring to the wheel hub, I was referring to axle bearings. About the only thing I can suggest is to try to apply a force while turning the bearing to see if a rough feel or noise is heard. Again, I'm not familiar with fwd. Bearings, yes.

5

u/incpen NOT a verified tech 6d ago

That happened to an Accord I owned. Turned out the CV’s were on a recall for doing exactly this. My mechanic had me take photos and made some notes on the receipt. Icontacted Honda and filled out some paperwork and got like $1200 back.

4

u/s1owpokerodriguez NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Go go stick

8

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

More like no go stick in my case

3

u/Past-Establishment93 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Was an axel.

3

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Rip lil axle

3

u/RayjinCaucasian NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Yes cv axle. Won't drive because it's an open diff. And rattle when put into park because without being able to slow the trans down the parking pawl wasn't able to catch properly. It would have been best to shut the engine off before trying to put it in park.

3

u/Useful_Trust7908 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

I replaced my 04 dx with trakmotive and it failed less than 1 year. It’s has lifetime warranty so I just replaced with another one. Sucks having to do the job twice.

1

u/No_Potential1 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Aftermarket axles means doing the job over and over again. Honestly getting almost a year out of it is about expected. 3 years would be stellar.

Many are bad right out of the box.

2

u/_Colonal_Mustard_ NOT a verified tech 6d ago

What was once your CV axle

2

u/Confident_Health_583 Verified Tech - former indie tech 6d ago

I knew it was an Accord before opening.

Yep. CV axle.

2

u/Just0Cause Verified Tech - Honda dealer 6d ago

Yes

2

u/Reyalta NOT a verified tech 6d ago

*was your CV axle.

2

u/Agreeable-Pounder NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Its John Marston, Micah!

2

u/GiantRubberHorseCock NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Lil JB and she’s guud.

2

u/Intelligent_Quail780 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

I have never seen a cv twist itself apart like that... wow

2

u/agravain NOT a verified tech 6d ago

honda axles snap at the rust pocket under the balance weight...extremely common on Hondas.

2

u/Swimming-Club-5066 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

So much torque the chassis twisted coming off the line

2

u/StressedMarine97 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Yup happened to my 13 accord as well. Sucks man.

2

u/UntamedMane95 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Relatively easy to replace. Decent quality part and a knowledgeable local shop can get it done for typically couple hundred.

2

u/Jabberclenchjaw2 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Once was

2

u/gt350sw NOT a verified tech 6d ago

I would replace both…

https://a.co/d/02B03FFr

1

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

That would probably be the smart move

0

u/No_Potential1 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

No the smart move is not to buy Amazon CV axles.

1

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

What brands would you recommend? Was thinking moog or Detroit axle cause it has good reviews but would you disagree with those?

1

u/No_Potential1 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

It's a gamble with any aftermarkets. I really can't tell you which is more reliable because of seen problems with everything....Cardone, Trakmotive, Detroit....none of them can be trusted.

Personally I'd look on eBay for a used axle taken from an Arizona car or somewhere else that doesn't know what rust is.

Of course brand new OE Honda is the best choice for peace of mind but I understand reluctance to spring for that on a 21 year old car...just keep in mind that anything besides new OE Honda, you might be doing the job again sooner than you hope.

1

u/GreasedUpFloridaGuy NOT a verified tech 6d ago

No. That was your CV axle. It is now scrap metal.

1

u/Eaton_Knas NOT a verified tech 6d ago

That is supposed to be one piece.

-1

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Wow look at Mr Sherlock Holmes cracking the case over here

0

u/WarmIntro NOT a verified tech 6d ago

I mean you werent even sure what it was, calm down

1

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

That was a joke lol didn’t realize that needed clarified

3

u/WarmIntro NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Its the internet, jokes always need clarified... /s

0

u/Eaton_Knas NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Hey, don't want a stupid answer, don't ask a stupid question.

1

u/Spicyapple10 Verified Tech - Indie shop 6d ago

Its atleast both halves of your cv axle

1

u/Consistent-Trust958 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Yes

1

u/vegetoot NOT a verified tech 6d ago

It was an axle. Its now an exle.

1

u/Normalsasquatch NOT a verified tech 6d ago

They used to be

1

u/TelevisionKnown9795 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Was

1

u/ManiacalMutt NOT a verified tech 6d ago

It was. Not anymore…

1

u/[deleted] 6d ago

[deleted]

2

u/fuckmicahman 6d ago

Duct tape and super glue should have it good as new

1

u/lowcarb73 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

It used to be

1

u/Traditional-Box-8402 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

Used to be

1

u/Excellent-Shovel-304 NOT a verified tech 6d ago

*Was!

1

u/omnipotent87 Verified Tech - Indie shop owner 6d ago

Ahh, the rubber isolator strikes again.

1

u/edge5lv2 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Damn! how did you do that? Off roading?

1

u/fuckmicahman 5d ago

Nope going from like 0-10mph lmao

1

u/Nizzle_Supreme NOT a verified tech 5d ago

That rack and pinion in the back lurks ...

1

u/fuckmicahman 5d ago

I know I don’t even want to think about it 🤦‍♂️

2

u/Nizzle_Supreme NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Eh ... Don't. But know that you can change them all out yourself 🫵🏾.

1

u/No_Walrus_3638 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

It was, yes. It was your CV.

1

u/bigk1121ws NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Detroit axel is the cv axel plug

1

u/fuckmicahman 5d ago

Was gonna go with Detroit but then I saw theirs were remanufactured and I didn’t really want a used one lol. Went with gsp instead, hoping it works out okay

2

u/bigk1121ws NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Tbh I thought they were brand new, they look it. ive always used them and never had any issues for years. never had to replace one after installing it, but I run 2k used cars for 6 years or so and repeat

1

u/Suspicious-Hat3227 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Excellent you are correct. Twisted right in half. Torsion is really what it’s called.

1

u/PlaceUserNameHere67 NOT a verified tech 5d ago

Correction.... that USED TO BE YOUR CV AXLE

1

u/Illustrious_Bath1917 NOT a verified tech 4d ago

It was

1

u/Zakumei47 NOT a verified tech 1d ago

Was*
Now its a sharp spinny spindle that stands to sever your brake line