Ford Explorer CV Joints & Boots

Constant velocity joints, or CV joints, are an excellent invention whose role in the automotive industry is hard to underestimate. Engineered to transfer a huge amount of torque, they allow the wheels to move vertically on road irregularities independently from each other. Meanwhile, CV joints can be installed not only on the front or rear drive axle but also on the driveshaft where they serve as a more advanced alternative to traditional U-joints. There are two popular types of CV joints: tripod and Rzeppa ones.

The latter have several (usually six) steel balls inside, which move along the races; this design provides an improved articulation angle and is commonly used on the outer side of the axle (near the wheel). As for tripod joints, they offer a smaller angle but more axial movement and are usually installed closer to the differential. If you want the CV joints of your Ford Explorer to last long, inspect their boots visually from time to time. When the boot is torn, the joint loses grease, starts to collect dirt and sand, and fails very soon. A wide range of Ford Explorer CV joints and boots is available here.