CV Joint and Driveshaft Faults on a Van
by Clicking on lock is the classic outer CV joint symptom, but the fault usually starts months earlier with a split boot nobody looked at. What to check and when.
Author: Bilal | Vans Guru
Writer & Editor at Vans Guru.
Bilal writes and edits Vans Guru. He researches and develops the technical guides published on this site, drawing on manufacturer and workshop technical literature, established repair references, and patterns reported by people who actually work on these vans. Vans Guru is a research-led information website, not a garage: Bilal doesn't carry out repairs or inspect readers' vehicles, and these guides aren't a substitute for a qualified technician diagnosing the van in front of them. Spotted something that needs correcting? Get in touch through the Contact Us page.
Wheel Bearing Noise on a Van: How to Confirm It Before You Replace
A droning hum that changes when you steer is the classic sign, but tyres and differentials mimic it convincingly. How to isolate the corner before spending money.
Shock Absorber Wear on a Working Van
Dampers wear so gradually that most owners never notice until they are replaced. What worn shocks actually cost you, why the bounce test is unreliable, and how to judge them properly.
Van Leaf Spring Problems: Sagging, Cracking and Ride Height
Leaf springs carry the load on most vans, and they fail quietly. How to spot sagging and cracking, why the bushes usually go first, and when helper springs are the wrong answer.
Van Handbrake Faults: Why It Will Not Hold and What to Check
A parking brake that copes empty can fail when the van is loaded on a slope. Cable, shoe and adjuster diagnosis, and why tightening the cable is usually the wrong fix.
ABS Warning Light on a Van: Causes and Diagnosis
An ABS light does not mean the brakes have failed, but it is an MOT failure and you have lost anti-lock function. Why wheel speed sensors dominate the causes, and how to test properly.
Brake Fluid on a Van: Why Time Matters More Than Mileage
Brake fluid absorbs moisture whether you drive or not, lowering its boiling point and corroding the ABS unit from inside. Symptoms, testing, specifications and why a falling level is not always a leak.
Buying a Used Van in the UK: Mechanical Checks Before You Pay
Cosmetic condition tells you little about a working van. What to check on GOV.UK before you travel, what to inspect cold, what the test drive must include, and when to walk away.
Van Brake Judder: Why It Happens and Why New Discs Often Do Not Fix It
Judder under braking is rarely just a warped disc. How to read where you feel it, why sticking calipers and a dirty hub face cause repeat failures, and how to bed new brakes in properly.
Common Van MOT Failures in the UK and How to Pre-Check
Most MOT failures are avoidable and many cost pennies to prevent. A pre-test checklist covering lights, tyres, brakes, emissions and the warning lights that fail automatically.