The moving parts in your vehicle are subject to wear, and the CV joints are no exception. High torque, impact, dirt, and vibrations can wear these components down. The CV joints need to be in proper working order, as they are responsible for turning your wheels and allowing you to drive the car forward while turning. Replacing the CV joint in your Hyundai Accent is a moderately challenging task but one that a novice mechanic can accomplish in less than two hour using the correct tools.
Park your Hyundai on a flat surface with plenty of good lighting. Turn of the engine and pull the parking brake handle.
Roll a floor jack under the front of your Accent and slowly raise it up far enough to insert jack stands. Lower the car down onto the jack stands and be sure it is safely supported.
Remove both of the front two wheels. Remove the lug nuts with a lug nut wrench and pull the wheels off. Set them out of the way.
Examine the center of the wheel hub to identify the spindle nut and cotter pin. Remove the pin with pliers and remove the nut with a ratchet and socket. Throw the pin in the trash.
Look to the back side of the hub to see the tie rod end attached to the steering knuckle. Remove the cotter with some pliers and remove the nut with a ratchet and socket. Pull the tie rod end from the knuckle.
Loosen and remove the stabilizer bar link bolt. Use a ratchet and socket to remove the bolt. Remove the bolt retaining the lower ball joint with a ratchet and socket. Separate the steering knuckle and ball joint with a pry bar.
Press the CV drive shaft from the wheel hub. At the other end of the drive shaft, position a fluid drain pan under the transmission. Use a pry tool to pull the drive shaft from the transmission. Let the fluid spill into the pan. Pull the CV joint assembly out from under the car and set it aside.
Take the new CV joint assembly under the vehicle and push it into the transmission. Push it until you feel it click into position. Insert the other end of the drive shaft into the wheel hub opening. Take care to not damage the bearings.
Reattach the lower ball joint and tighten the nut to 43 to 52 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Reattach the stabilizer bar link and tighten the bolt with a ratchet and socket.
Reconnect the tie rod end and tighten the nut to 17 to 25 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Install a new cotter pin and secure it by bending it with some pliers.
Reinstall the hub spindle nut and tighten it to 144 to 187 foot-pounds with a torque wrench. Install a new cotter pin here also. Make sure it is secure with a pair of pliers.
Reinstall both of the front wheels and tires. Tighten them on with a lug nut wrench. Lower your Accent back down to the ground by raising it up with the floor jacks and then removing the jack stands and lowering with the jack.
Identify the proper transmission fluid type your vehicle requires by reading your owner's manual. Pour transmission fluid into the fill port of your transmission. Using a funnel will help avoid spills.
Take your car for a short drive. After you park it again, look under the car to make sure there are no leaks.
