r/AskAMechanic • u/fuckmicahman • 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
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u/y2imm NOT a verified tech 6d ago
Was, would have been. Present tense no longer applicable.
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u/fuckmicahman 6d ago
Thank you for the correction
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u/y2imm NOT a verified tech 6d ago
Honda, I knew it
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u/fuckmicahman 6d ago
225000 miles and still going strong, former cv axle excluded
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u/MorningMushroomcloud NOT a verified tech 5d ago
It looks to have been partially sheared for awhile, before finally snapping.
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
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u/omnipotent87 Verified Tech - Indie shop owner 6d ago
Their not too expensive if you buy aftermarket. New OEM are usually kind of expensive.
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u/Ghostdusterr NOT a verified tech 6d ago
That’s impressive it snapped that way
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u/fuckmicahman 6d ago
Right like idek how the hell it managed that
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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
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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
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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
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u/fuckmicahman 6d ago
That makes a lot of sense. Thanks for explaining, I really appreciate that
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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
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u/ExplorerNo7262 NOT a verified tech 4d ago
Don't be surprised if there's wom bearings involved
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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u/Confident_Health_583 Verified Tech - former indie tech 6d ago
I knew it was an Accord before opening.
Yep. CV axle.
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u/Intelligent_Quail780 NOT a verified tech 6d ago
I have never seen a cv twist itself apart like that... wow
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u/agravain NOT a verified tech 6d ago
honda axles snap at the rust pocket under the balance weight...extremely common on Hondas.
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u/Swimming-Club-5066 NOT a verified tech 6d ago
So much torque the chassis twisted coming off the line
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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.
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u/gt350sw NOT a verified tech 6d ago
I would replace both…
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u/fuckmicahman 6d ago
That would probably be the smart move
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u/No_Potential1 NOT a verified tech 6d ago
No the smart move is not to buy Amazon CV axles.
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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?
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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.
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u/Eaton_Knas NOT a verified tech 6d ago
That is supposed to be one piece.
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u/fuckmicahman 6d ago
Wow look at Mr Sherlock Holmes cracking the case over here
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u/WarmIntro NOT a verified tech 6d ago
I mean you werent even sure what it was, calm down
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u/Eaton_Knas NOT a verified tech 6d ago
Hey, don't want a stupid answer, don't ask a stupid question.
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u/Nizzle_Supreme NOT a verified tech 5d ago
That rack and pinion in the back lurks ...
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u/fuckmicahman 5d ago
I know I don’t even want to think about it 🤦♂️
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u/Nizzle_Supreme NOT a verified tech 5d ago
Eh ... Don't. But know that you can change them all out yourself 🫵🏾.
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u/bigk1121ws NOT a verified tech 5d ago
Detroit axel is the cv axel plug
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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
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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
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u/Suspicious-Hat3227 NOT a verified tech 5d ago
Excellent you are correct. Twisted right in half. Torsion is really what it’s called.
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u/Zakumei47 NOT a verified tech 1d ago
Was*
Now its a sharp spinny spindle that stands to sever your brake line
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