5 Symptoms of a Bad Driveshaft
The rotational force that your engine produces is called torque. The job of the driveshaft is to transmit this torque to the wheels of your vehicle.
Most vehicles are front-wheel drive, so the torque is transmitted to the two front wheels via what are called half shafts. However, other vehicles have what are called driveshafts.
Can you tell me if I have a problem with my driveshaft? Here are some common signs that indicate a driveshaft problem and how much it might cost to replace it.
What is a driveshaft? A driveshaft (also called a propeller shaft) is essentially a long rod used in rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, or all-wheel drive vehicles to transfer torque from the transmission’s output shaft to the rear differential.
Driveshafts often have internal splines on the end that connects to the transmission and a universal joint (U-joint) on the end that connects to the differential.
If you have a four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle, you may notice that there are actually two separate driveshafts: one for transmitting power forward and one for transmitting power backwards. This depends on the manufacturer’s implementation of the all-wheel drive or all-wheel drive system.
Common Symptoms of a Bad Driveshaft
Driveshafts rotate at high speeds and can move the rear wheels of your vehicle. They can only rotate quickly if they are properly loaded and balanced.
When a driveshaft fails, it affects your ability to drive. Specifically, there are five common symptoms you can recognize that indicate a problem with your driveshaft or sliding yoke: 1) Vibration
If you feel a strong vibration from below while driving, something may be wrong with your driveshaft. This is usually the first symptom people notice when there is a problem with the driveshaft.
The vibration is probably due to worn driveshaft bushings. These bushings usually prevent the driveshaft from vibrating at all.
If you don’t fix the problem right away, the vibration will get stronger. It will be so bad that your passengers will feel it too. In the worst case scenario, other drive components may be affected and damaged as well.
If the vibration increases with speed, be aware that your tires may need balancing. This should be done regularly. Consult your user manual for manufacturer recommendations. 2) Clattering noises
Do you hear a clicking noise when accelerating your car? And when you put the gear in reverse or forward? If you hear a clicking noise in either of these cases, your driveshaft may be faulty and should be checked immediately. This is a common symptom of a defective sliding fork.
3) Screeching noises
If you hear a constant creaking noise coming from the underside of your car while driving, this is a sign that your driveshaft may be defective. It may be out of balance or another part may be worn out.
4) Universal joint movement
Driveshaft If the universal joint turns too fast or doesn’t turn at all, there is a problem with the driveshaft. The bearing seal cap may be rusted. Either that or the universal joint itself is not stable. You cannot drive the car in this condition, so you will need to replace the driveshaft. 5) Difficulty Turning
If the wheels don’t turn right away or are hesitant to turn when you try to turn your car, you have a problem with your driveshaft. The tires have a lot of resistance that you feel when trying to turn.
This is obviously a serious problem that should be investigated immediately. If the steering wheel is simply hard to turn, you may need to have your power steering pump checked.
Driveshaft Problems in Different Drive Types
The type of drive system can affect how the driveshaft operates and what bad driveshaft symptoms you may experience. Here are some common issues you may experience depending on your drive type:
Rear-wheel drive
In a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the driveshaft is responsible for transferring power from the transmission to the rear differential. If the driveshaft is worn or damaged, you may experience vibrations or rattles when accelerating or decelerating. You may also find your vehicle harder to control or feel unstable at high speeds.
Front-wheel drive
In a front-wheel drive vehicle, the driveshaft is responsible for transferring power from the transmission to the front wheels. Damaged driveshafts can cause vibrations and shudders in the steering wheel and the vehicle itself. The vehicle may also pull to one side or feel sluggish when turning.
All-Wheel Drive
Four-wheel drive vehicles have front and rear driveshafts that work together to transmit power to all four wheels. Damaged driveshafts can cause vibrations and rattles when accelerating or decelerating. The vehicle may also feel harder to control or unstable at high speeds, especially on uneven terrain.
Can You Drive With a Bad Drive Shaft?
While it is usually possible to drive with a bad drive shaft, it’s usually not very wise to do it for long. If part of the drive shaft were to snap, you’ll lose power to that axle in the best case scenario. The drive shaft may fall and get wedged between the ground and your vehicle, restricting forward movement.
On some four wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicles, disconnecting one axle like this may stress the center differential or transfer case. This could cause premature wear or even failure of the center differential.
Before Subaru started mainly using CVT transmissions, they used a viscous coupling center differential. This type of differential is very sensitive to prolonged speed differences between the front and rear axles.
If the drive shaft were to disconnect on one side while it’s still spinning quickly, there is a good chance it will do massive damage to the underside of your vehicle. Remember that if one end is still connected to the vehicle, the drive shaft will continue spinning for a moment and take out anything in its path. This could be handbrake cables, brake lines, fuel lines, and even parts of the wiring harness.
