Driveshaft & CV Joints
AKA 'Clicky Death Sticks' — That clicking when turning? Yeah, that's bad. We fix it.
Clicking when turning? CV boot split? Driveshaft vibration? We repair and replace CV joints, boots, and complete driveshafts.
See our upfront pricingQuick Facts
What's This All About Then?
That clicking noise when you turn sharply? That's your CV joint screaming for attention. CV joints live inside rubber boots filled with grease. When the boot splits, the grease escapes, dirt gets in, and the joint wears out fast. Caught early, we can just replace the boot. Left too long, you need a whole joint or driveshaft. We inspect, diagnose, and fix CV joints, boots, and driveshafts - from simple boot replacements to complete shaft swaps. Don't ignore the clicks; they only get more expensive with time.
How it works
A driveshaft carries power from the gearbox out to the wheel. The problem is the wheel doesn't sit still — it moves up and down with the suspension and, on the front, swivels as you steer. A straight rigid shaft couldn't cope, so each end has a constant velocity (CV) joint: a clever ball-and-cage joint that transmits full power smoothly even at sharp angles. Each CV joint is packed with grease and sealed inside a ribbed rubber CV boot. That boot is the weak link — as long as it's intact, the joint stays greased and lasts for years. The moment the boot splits, grease flings out, grit and water get in, and the joint starts to wear. That's why a torn boot spotted early is a cheap fix, and an ignored one becomes a whole new shaft.
Warning signs to watch for
- •A rhythmic clicking or knocking that gets louder when turning — the classic sign of a worn outer CV joint
- •A clunk when pulling away or changing between drive and reverse — often a worn inner CV joint
- •A vibration through the car that builds with speed — a worn or damaged driveshaft
- •Grease sprayed around the inside of a wheel or wheel arch — a split CV boot has flung its grease out
- •A humming or droning that changes with speed — worn joints or bearings
- •A torn or cracked CV boot spotted during a service — the early warning before any noise starts
Common causes
What we do
We inspect the shafts and both CV boots, check for play in the joints, and pin down whether that click is the outer joint, the inner, or something else entirely. If a boot has just split, we can often replace the boot and re-grease before the joint is damaged — the cheap outcome. If the joint's worn, we replace it or the full driveshaft. It's all done wherever your car is parked, so there's no garage trip.
Driveshaft & CV Joints — FAQs
What does clicking when I turn mean?
A rhythmic click or knock that appears when you're turning — often sharper on full lock — is the textbook symptom of a worn outer CV joint. It usually starts quiet and gets louder over time. It means the joint has lost its grease, almost always because the rubber boot split. It won't fix itself, and a badly worn joint can eventually fail completely, so it's worth getting checked promptly.
Can you just replace the CV boot instead of the whole shaft?
Yes, if we catch it early enough. If the boot has only recently split and the joint underneath is still smooth with no play, we can clean it, repack it with fresh grease and fit a new boot — much cheaper than a new shaft. But if grit and water have already worn the joint, a boot alone won't cure the clicking, and the joint or shaft needs replacing.
Is it safe to drive with a clicking CV joint?
You can usually still drive short-term, but you shouldn't leave it. A worn CV joint gets worse and, in the worst case, can fail completely and leave the car unable to drive — potentially at an awkward moment. It's also an MOT concern once the boot is split. Get it looked at soon; the longer you wait, the more likely a cheap boot job becomes a full shaft replacement.
What You Actually Get
Common Driveshaft & CV Joints Faults We Fix
Random Knowledge You Didn't Ask For
A CV joint rotates up to 40 times per second at motorway speed. That's a lot of clicking potential.
Torn CV boot + 6 months = dead CV joint. Replace boots early, save money later.
Why Get Your Driveshaft & CV Joints Done By Us?
We're Quick
Fast response, efficient work. No dragging things out.
We Come To You
Your driveway, your office, wherever. We travel.
We Guarantee It
If we mess up, we fix it. Simple as that.