15 Differentials and joints

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Petersburg Herald

Dear Car Doctor.

I hear a loud clunk when I put my car in gear,
and it vibrates when I speed up or slow down.
What's going on?
- Roger
Dear Roger,
It sounds like you have a problem with your
joints, which transmit the rotary motion of
0ea transaxle to the wheels. If you have a rear-
wheel drive vehicle, you likely have U-joints.
A U-joint is essentially two connected
hinges. When the connection is loose. they
CV boot spin and make a 'clunk' upon meeting. On

T11,24 the other hand. if you have a front-wheel

CV joints.
41Po 41, drive car, you probably have
U-joints, CV joints produce aknocking
Like
sound
when loose. However, the problem usually
begins with theCV boot. A cracked CV boot
Get ready! lets grease escape and dirt enter. The result
coupling
is that the experiences too much
O Before you read the passage, friction, wears down, and loosens. But no
talk about these questions. matter what joints you have, you need to get
to a mechanic before the joints completely
1 What joint is two connected hinges? fail and you lose control of your vehicle.
2 What type of joint does a CV boot protect?

Reading Vocabulary
O Read the auto advice column. Then, choose the 0 Match the words (1-6) with the
correct answers. definitions (A-F).
1 What is the purpose of the passage? 1 CV boot
A to show the steps of joint replacement 2 joint
B to recommend switching to CV joints 3 friction
C to explain symptoms of U and CV joint damage 4 knocking
D to describe the differences between U and CV joints 5 rotary motion
6 T transaxle
2 Where does damage to a CV joint usually start?
A a worn down hinge A a point at which two things are
B a cracked CV boot joined
C a loose coupling B a circular turn
D a snapped transaxle C protective rubber sleeve
D resistance created when
3 What is probably true of a car with a damaged CV boot?
two bodies rub together
A It needs a new U-joint.
E a short. hard and repetitive
B It has front-wheel drive. sound
C It cannot transmit rotary motion. F a device that transfers energy
D Its CV joint has completely failed. from the transmission
32
 Fill in the blanks with the correct words Speaking
and phrases from the word bank.
0 With a partner, act out the roles below
wOrdILLILAima. based on Task 7. Then switch roles.
U joints clunk transmits USE LANGUAGE SUCH AS:
couplings CV joints hinges figured out what ... I The ... was cracked. it's
better if we ...
1 The engine energy to the
rest of the car.
2 are usually found on front-wheel Student A: You are a mechanic. Talk to
drive cars. Student B about:
3 The car made a when it
• the cars joint problems
shifted gears,
• how damage occurred
4 Cars with rear-wheel drive often have
• what repairs are needed

5 Doors turn on
Student B: You are a car owner. Talk to
6 All car joints are types of
Student A about your cars joint problems.

0 4,5 Listen and read the auto advice column

again. What would happen if a car's joints
fail? Writing
Listening Use the conversation from Task 8 to fill
out the repair shop's work report.
O g Listen to a conversation between a
mechanic and a car owner. Mark the
following statements as true (T) or false (F).

1 The problem was caused by a damaged

U-joint.
2 The man recommends fixing the joint.
3 The woman approves replacing the joint
and shaft.

O csi Listen again and complete the

conversation.

Mechanic: Oh, hi. Yes, well. I've figured out what Ir\;\
was causing that 1 sound.
Mechanic
Sterner: Oh, good. What was ft? Labor Report
Mechanic: It's 2
It's the 3
,ustorner: I see. Did I cause the damage somehow? Mechanic name:
Mechanic: 2 The CV boot was
cracked. but that can happen after a Problem reported:
lot of driving_
sterner: Okay. So 5 it Cause:
Or will you have to replace it?
Mechanic: It's 6 so we'll have to Repairs needed:
replace it.