27 Apr 14

Yesterday my car went in for its MOT. It passed apart from needing a new CV boot. Heather asked me what this was and to be honest, I wasn't exactly sure so I looked it up.

 

 

Location of CV boot (not my car)

Constant-velocity joints (aka CV joints) allow a drive shaft to transmit power through a variable angle, at constant rotational speed, without an appreciable increase in friction or play. They are mainly used in front wheel drive and many modern rear wheel drive cars with independent rear suspension typically use CV joints at the ends of the rear axle halfshafts, and increasingly use them on the propshafts.

 

 

Example of a damaged CV boot (not my car)

Constant-velocity joints are protected by a rubber boot (the aforementioned CV boot). Cracks and splits in the boot will allow contaminants in, which would cause the joint to wear quickly. So, as you can see, it's not surprising its covered by the MOT. According to my good friend Kevin, he keeps these in stock as they need replacing so often. Wonder if this is due to the poor state of Britain's roads.

 

Stiil, £90 for a replacement CV boot and MOT isn't bad for a car that's 10 years old.