Parts for your 2023 Toyota C-hr-Universal joints

Are universal joints used on the 2023 Toyota C‑HR?

Short answer: universal joints aren’t a driveline part on the 2023 Toyota C‑HR. That model runs a transverse engine and front‑wheel drive on the TNGA‑C platform, so it uses constant‑velocity (CV) joints on the front half‑shafts rather than the cross‑type universal joints you’d see on a rear‑wheel drive prop shaft. This layout is confirmed by Toyota’s model specifications for MY23 Australia/NZ (front‑wheel drive only) and by Toyota workshop literature that labels the front drive shafts as CV‑jointed assemblies under Drivetrain/Axle – Front Drive Shaft.

Why no universal joints? In a front‑drive package, CV joints maintain a constant rotational speed through larger steering and suspension angles, which keeps vibration and torque steer down while delivering smooth power to the front wheels. Traditional universal joints create speed fluctuations at angles and are better suited to a longitudinal prop shaft on RWD/4WD vehicles. With no prop shaft in the C‑HR, there’s simply nowhere for those universal joints to go.

Worth noting: there is a small universal joint in the steering intermediate shaft on most modern cars, including the C‑HR. That’s a steering component, not a driveline service item. It’s normally only replaced if there’s play, binding, or a clunk through the wheel, and inspection guidance sits in the Steering section of Toyota’s repair manual rather than Drivetrain.

If someone’s chasing a “u‑joint” issue on a C‑HR, they’re almost always thinking of the CV joints. That’s where maintenance attention belongs: keeping boots intact and greased so the joints live a long, quiet life. Split boots fling grease and let water in, which leads to that classic clicking on full lock and, if ignored, a worn joint and a replacement axle.

• During scheduled servicing, have the front CV boots checked for splits, clamps for tension, and any grease spray around the inner guards.
• Listen for clicking on tight turns, vibration under load, or a rhythmic knock that rises with road speed — common signs of CV wear, not universal joints.
• If a boot is damaged, prompt boot replacement and fresh grease can save the joint. If the joint’s noisy, a complete shaft assembly is usually the tidy fix.

For Australia and New Zealand MY23 C‑HRs, there’s no mechanical AWD with a rear prop shaft, and hybrid “E‑Four” systems in other Toyota lines use an electric rear axle without a prop shaft as well — again, no universal joints in play (see Toyota model specs and hybrid drivetrain overviews in New Car Features and Repair Manual).

Does the 2023 Toyota C‑HR have universal joints?

No, not in the driveline. It’s front‑wheel drive and uses CV joints on the front shafts. There is a small steering column universal joint, but that’s a steering item, not a powertrain joint.

What should owners service instead of universal joints on a C‑HR?

Focus on the front CV joints and boots. At regular services, check for split boots, grease fling, clicking on full lock, and vibration under load. Early boot repairs can save replacing a whole driveshaft down the track.

Are any 2023 C‑HR variants in Australia or New Zealand fitted with driveline universal joints?

No. Local MY23 C‑HR models are front‑wheel drive only, so there’s no rear prop shaft. Even Toyota’s hybrid systems that drive the rear wheels in other model lines do so electrically without a prop shaft, meaning no traditional driveline universal joints.