Parts for your 2020 Honda Civic-Universal joints

2020 Honda Civic universal joints — are they even a thing?

Short answer: not for the driveline. The 2020 Honda Civic is a front‑wheel‑drive platform that uses constant velocity (CV) joints on its front halfshafts, not universal joints (U‑joints). Technical documentation backs this up: the 2020 Honda Civic Service Information (Driveline/Axle — Front Driveshaft) specifies an outer Rzeppa CV joint and an inner tripod CV joint, with no propeller shaft or cross‑type U‑joints listed for the drivetrain. Likewise, Honda’s electronic parts catalog for the 2020 Civic shows CV axles, joints and boot kits, but no driveline U‑joint part numbers. The only “universal joint” on the car is the small joint built into the steering intermediate shaft assembly.

Why no U‑joints on the driveline? Front‑wheel‑drive Civics need joints that can transmit power smoothly through large steering and suspension angles. CV joints maintain constant rotational speed through these angles, so there’s no vibration or binding at full lock. Traditional U‑joints, commonly found on rear‑wheel‑drive prop shafts, introduce a speed fluctuation unless paired and phased correctly, which isn’t ideal for front axle duty. Honda’s service guidance and parts listings reflect this design choice by focusing on CV joints and boots, not U‑joints, for the front axles.

What about the steering? There is a small universal joint integrated into the steering intermediate shaft on the 2020 Civic’s electric power steering column. Honda treats this as a complete assembly: if there’s free play, notchiness or corrosion, the fix is to replace the intermediate shaft rather than servicing a separate U‑joint. That approach is shown in the steering column/EPAS sections of Honda’s service information and parts diagrams.

If someone’s been hunting for “universal joints” for a 2020 Civic, what they usually need are CV‑related parts: complete axle shafts, CV joints, or boot kits. For routine servicing, keep an eye on CV boots for splits or grease fling, listen for clicking on turns (a classic sign of an outer CV on the way out), and inspect the steering intermediate shaft joint for stiffness or play, especially on vehicles that live near the coast where corrosion can creep in. There’s no set kilometre interval for replacing these, it’s condition‑based. When in doubt, a quick check during a scheduled service can save a bigger bill down the track.

• Technical references: 2020 Honda Civic Service Information (Driveline/Axle — Front Driveshaft, Steering — Column/Intermediate Shaft) and Honda EPC parts diagrams for 2020 Civic models. Engineering norms distinguish U‑joints for propeller shafts and CV joints for front drive axles due to constant‑velocity requirements.

Popular questions

Does a 2020 Honda Civic have universal joints?
Not on the drivetrain. It uses CV joints on the front halfshafts. The only universal joint on the vehicle is integrated into the steering intermediate shaft assembly. That steering joint isn’t usually serviced separately, the whole intermediate shaft is replaced if worn.

What should be replaced instead of U‑joints on a 2020 Civic’s driveline?
CV components: complete axle shafts, CV joints, and boot kits. Watch for split boots, grease fling on the inner guards, or clicking on tight turns. These are the tell‑tale signs to inspect or replace the CV assembly.

Can the steering universal joint be lubricated or serviced?
Honda treats the 2020 Civic’s steering intermediate shaft as a sealed assembly. If there’s free play, notchiness, binding or visible corrosion, the recommended repair is to replace the shaft. There’s no routine lubrication procedure specified in Honda’s service information.