Driveshafts and CV Joints: How Power Reaches the Wheels

From the gearbox output, torque reaches the driven wheels through drive shafts (sometimes called half-shafts) with constant-velocity (CV) joints at each end. The CV joints allow the shaft to transmit power while the wheel moves up and down (suspension travel) and, at the front, left and right (steering). On rear-wheel-drive cars, an additional propshaft runs from the gearbox to the rear differential, with universal joints (UJs) at each end.

What this category covers

Driveshafts (complete shafts), CV boot kits, CV joint kits, gear cables, propshafts and components, gearbox linkages.

The classic UK failure pattern

Outer CV boot splits → grease flings out → road grit enters joint → joint clicks on full-lock turns → joint wears further → eventually driveshaft replacement. Catch the boot split early and replace just the boot. Catch it late and replace the shaft.

Browse the full driveshafts and CV range on the Driveshafts & CV collection.