Cheap Nissan Kubistar CV Joints

Yes, the Kubistar is a front-wheel-drive van and uses CV joints on both front driveshafts to transmit drive from the gearbox to the front wheels — there is one inner and one outer CV joint per side. Because all drive goes through the front axle, the CV joints are a genuine wear item on this vehicle. If you are hearing a clicking noise on full lock or a vibration under power, a worn CV joint or gaiter is a likely cause.

The Nissan Kubistar was sold in the UK in one main generation, based on the Renault Kangoo platform, running from approximately 2003 to 2009 when it was discontinued. Within that production run there were no major structural changes to the front suspension layout that are widely documented, so parts from across the range may well interchange, but you should still confirm against your registration with the breaker before ordering. Driveshaft and CV joint dimensions can vary subtly even within a single generation, so quoting your reg or VIN to the dismantler is the safest approach.

The Kubistar was offered with different engines including 1.2 and 1.6 petrol units and a 1.5 dCi diesel, and driveshaft dimensions can vary between engine variants because of differences in gearbox output flanges and torque requirements. It is therefore important to tell the breaker your exact engine code and not just the model name, as the inner CV joint in particular can differ between drivetrain configurations. Never assume a diesel-spec joint will match a petrol-spec vehicle or vice versa without checking.

The Kubistar was available in different payload configurations, and on vans the GVW rating can influence running gear specifications including driveshaft and joint sizing. Check the plate on your vehicle for the exact GVW and pass this to the breaker alongside your registration, rather than relying solely on the model name. This is particularly worth checking if your van is a higher-payload variant, as the joints may not be identical to a standard-payload example.

Yes, side absolutely matters for CV joints on the Kubistar — the nearside (NS, passenger side) and offside (OS, driver side) driveshafts are often different lengths because the gearbox is offset within the engine bay, and the joints are matched to each shaft. Always specify NS or OS clearly when contacting a breaker, and double-check the shaft length as well as the joint type to ensure compatibility. Fitting the wrong side is unlikely to work and could cause drivetrain damage.

Trim level does not affect CV joint fitment on the Kubistar — the joints are part of the drivetrain, not the interior or cosmetic specification, so a higher or lower trim grade makes no difference to which part you need. What does matter is engine size, gearbox type, and payload rating, so focus on those details when speaking to a breaker. Any cosmetic differences between trim levels on used parts you collect (such as surrounding trim pieces) are unrelated to whether the CV joint itself will fit.