3 Ways You Can Tell When Your Car’s Driveshaft Is Failing

The drivetrain system on your car is what powers you on the road. And the driveshaft is what converts the rotation of your vehicle's engine and its torque into the motion of the motor vehicle when you shift. If it is working efficiently, getting into drive and maneuvering your car is easy. But when the system has a problem, shifting also becomes problematic. Cars have different types of drivetrains, with the most common ones being the rear-wheel-drive, the all-wheel-drive as well as the front-wheel-drive. Every system has a unique procedure that shifts engine power into motion, but you can tell when it fails. Here are the four signs that your vehicle's drivetrain is failing.

You Keep Getting Vibrations Under the Vehicle

Vibrations from under the vehicle are the first indicator that you need to have your driveshaft checked. You might have had more than one instance where you tried to shift the car into drive, and an intense shaking ensued. Your driveshaft will vibrate when the vehicle's carrier bearings, u-joints, and couplers become worn out. You should visit an auto mechanic and have these systems checked and repaired. Failure to fix the system leads to further damage to the entire drivetrain.

Unusual Noises

Your vehicle will make clunking, squeaking, and knocking noises when you have a problem with the drive train. Clunking noises occur as you attempt to maneuver a car with a damaged u-joint. Similarly, if the u-joint is not damaged but needs lubrication, your vehicle will make constant squeaking noises. You can apply some grease on the parts and eliminate the squeaking. However, you need to ensure that the u-joint hasn't gotten worn out so much that it might need further repairs. Finally, knocking noises are the classic sign that the CV joint is filing. You should take the vehicle to the auto mechanic immediately if you hear this noise.

The Vehicle Shudders When You Accelerate

There are two main reasons a vehicle shudders during acceleration. First is the carrier bearing, located in the axles of your car's driveshaft. Its role is holding the driveshaft in position and preventing the vehicle from vibrating as you shift. When the bearing wears out, its ability to keep the vehicle stable diminishes. In addition to the shuddering, you could experience whirring and rumbling noises. The second cause of shuddering is a loose u-joint.

Take your vehicle to an auto mechanic when you discover that you might have issues with your car's drivetrain. The experts will help you diagnose the problem and resolve it for a fast and efficient vehicle.


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