216 Minor problem while Cornering

A common problem with front wheel drives cars is the constant velocity joints. A faulty joint will make a rhythmatic knocking noise, usually when cornering. It is only rarely these will be picked up on at a MOT. Check for a damaged gaiter, although these should be spotted at a MOT. If they split, the grease gets washed away and the bearings soon become damaged.

Front wheel drive cars have this weird device in the front end, shortly after the final drive, called a CONSTANT VELOCITY joint (CV Joint). These are made up of an arangement of ball bearings, and specially developed sockets that let the joint SPIN, and move much like your wrist as well, incredible to see one in operation. However, they do have their complications. If the bearings or housings her "out of round" as it were, the entire joint starts making a very loud, nerve wracking rattle in any other direction than straight ahead. Panic not! The joint *will* stay together at low speeds. It'll shake your back teeth out before letting go. It's a terrifically good idea to get that changed as quick as you can though, cause the rattle alone can make you a clock-tower sniper inside a week...

Also good to note here, that if ONE CV Joint is ill, you can pretty much lay money on the other being not that far away from it... Might pay to replace them both left and right while the front of the car is up in the air.

Ok Andy we have two Rovers 1 a "C" reg 216 VP the other a 414 sli both failed the MOT due to the CV BOOT !! I have just bought a 414 SI today with a full MOT which had originally failed due to its CV BOOT. What is a C V BOOT and is this failing a common fault with Rovers?. Ron .

On 22/07/2004 20:27:27, in alt.autos.rover, snipped-for-privacy@blueyonder.co.uk licked his pencil and scribbled in message

CV boots are rubber sleeves or gaiters that protect the cv joints. If these split crud can get in and destroy the cv joint. Catastrophic failure of the cv joint is a serious safety issue! Hence MOT failures for this are common. As to Rovers being prone to boot failures, no more than any other make in my experience.

Thanks for the info what is under the paintwork is a complete mystery to me checking oil and water is about the limit of my knowledge regarding cars .

This surprises me hadn't even heard of a CV BOOT before submitting our first Rover for testing back in April . Previous to them going out of favor in this country we always have had the good old Lada Riva's and afterwards until last year at this time Fords and never once had the CV BOOT come up regarding the MOT hence my remarks concerning Rovers . Ron .