Parts for your 2020 Toyota C-hr-Universal joints

2020 Toyota C‑HR universal joints — are they actually used?

Short answer: not for the driveline. According to Toyota’s own technical literature for the C‑HR (AX10/AX50 series) — including the Drivetrain/Axle section of the Toyota Repair Manual and the New Car Features (NCF) manual — the 2020 C‑HR sold in Australia and New Zealand is front‑wheel drive with a transaxle and two front drive shafts that use constant‑velocity (CV) joints, not universal joints (U‑joints). There’s no propeller shaft in this layout, so there are no driveline U‑joints to service or replace. Toyota Australia/NZ model guides for the 2020 C‑HR list 2WD only, backing this up. The only U‑joint you’ll find on the vehicle is part of the steering intermediate shaft, as shown in the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), and that’s a different category to the driveline type most people mean by “universal joints”.

Why Toyota doesn’t use U‑joints on the C‑HR’s driveline comes down to design and physics. The FWD layout packs the engine and gearbox across the front, sending power through short half‑shafts with CV joints. CV joints deliver constant rotational speed through larger steering and suspension angles, which is ideal for a compact crossover that needs tight turning and compliant ride. A single U‑joint, by contrast, creates speed fluctuation at an angle and is best suited to longitudinal prop shafts in RWD/4WD vehicles where paired U‑joints can cancel that effect.

If someone’s chasing “universal joints” for a 2020 C‑HR, they’re almost certainly after front CV joints or complete drive shafts. Typical CV wear signs include:

• Clicking or popping on full lock turns
• Grease sprayed around a wheel arch from a torn boot
• Vibration on acceleration

The steering intermediate shaft’s U‑joint is separate. If it wears, drivers may notice notchy or stiff steering, free play on centre, or rust binding after water ingress. It’s not a routine maintenance item and should be inspected and replaced by a qualified technician because it’s safety‑critical and involves airbag‑related components around the column.

So, for servicing a 2020 C‑HR in Aus/NZ, think CV joints and boots on the front half‑shafts, not driveline U‑joints. Keep the boots intact, fix any tears quickly, and use the correct spec grease and torque settings as outlined in Toyota’s Repair Manual.

• Popular questions about 2020 Toyota C‑HR universal joints

Does a 2020 Toyota C‑HR have universal joints?
Not in the driveline. The 2020 C‑HR (Aus/NZ) is FWD and uses CV joints on the front drive shafts. It does have a small U‑joint on the steering intermediate shaft, but that’s a steering part rather than a prop‑shaft style joint.

What does the C‑HR use instead of U‑joints?
CV joints — typically a Rzeppa‑type outer joint and a tripod‑type inner joint on each front half‑shaft. These handle big steering angles smoothly without speed fluctuation, which suits the C‑HR’s FWD layout.

Do universal joints need servicing on a 2020 C‑HR?
There’s no driveline U‑joint to service. Inspect the steering intermediate shaft U‑joint only if there are symptoms like notchy steering or play. For the driveline, maintain the CV boots, and replace CV joints or complete shafts if noise or damage appears.