Parts for your 2017 Toyota C-hr-Universal joints

Universal joints on the 2017 Toyota C‑HR — what’s actually fitted

Short answer: the 2017 Toyota C‑HR doesn’t use universal joints (U‑joints) in its drivetrain. Technical references including the Toyota C‑HR Repair Manual (AX10/AX50, Drivetrain/Axle – Front Drive Shaft), the New Car Features (NCF) manual for the C‑HR, and Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) show front drive shafts with constant velocity (CV) joints — Rzeppa‑type outers and tripod‑type inners — and no propeller shaft on front‑wheel‑drive models. That’s why there are no serviceable driveline U‑joints listed for the vehicle.

U‑joints are usually found on rear‑wheel‑drive or traditional AWD vehicles with a prop shaft. The C‑HR is built on Toyota’s TNGA‑C platform and, in 2017, was sold primarily as front‑wheel drive in Australia and New Zealand. CV joints are the right choice here because they keep rotational speed constant while the wheels steer and the suspension moves — something a simple cross‑type U‑joint can’t do smoothly at larger angles.

• CV joints handle big steering angles without shudder, improving NVH and tyre grip.
• They suit compact packaging and are sealed/grease‑packed, ideal for a city crossover.

Worth noting: there is a small universal joint on the steering intermediate shaft (see Steering Column section of the Toyota Repair Manual). That part isn’t the same thing people usually mean when they ask about “driveline U‑joints”, but it can wear. If the steering feels notchy, has a clunk over bumps, or shows play on‑centre, have that joint checked.

For routine servicing on a 2017 C‑HR, the practical focus is the CV joints and boots:

• Inspect CV boots every service (around 10,000 km). Look for splits, grease spray on the inner guards, or clamps that have let go.
• If a boot’s torn but the joint is quiet, a boot kit can often save the shaft.
• Clicking on full lock or vibration on acceleration points to a worn CV joint — replacement of the affected shaft is the usual fix.
• After any shaft work, torque the hub nut to spec and get a wheel alignment check.

Technical sources referenced: Toyota C‑HR Repair Manual (AX10/AX50) – Drivetrain/Axle (Front Drive Shaft) and Steering Column, Toyota C‑HR New Car Features (NCF), and Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for 2017 C‑HR grades sold in AU/NZ.

• Does a 2017 Toyota C‑HR have universal joints in the drivetrain?
  No. It uses front drive shafts with CV joints and no propeller shaft, so there are no serviceable driveline U‑joints on AU/NZ 2017 C‑HR models. The only U‑joint present is on the steering intermediate shaft.
• What should be serviced instead of universal joints on a 2017 C‑HR?
  Check the CV boots and joints, listen for clicking on full lock, and look for grease spray around the inner guards. Replace damaged boots promptly to protect the joints and avoid a full shaft replacement.
• How do you spot a worn steering intermediate shaft U‑joint on a C‑HR?
  Symptoms include a notchy or heavy steering feel, on‑centre play, or a faint clunk over bumps. If those show up, have a technician inspect the intermediate shaft for binding or looseness and replace it if needed.