The drive axle of a vehicle is the shaft responsible for turning a
vehicle's tires. The engine delivers rotational force to the wheels
through the shaft. Because of this, any sort of problem you might have
will need to be addressed quickly, otherwise the problem could become
much worse. Typically, drive shafts do not suddenly fail, but instead,
they gradually worsen. Catching a problem early can prevent costly
repairs in the future. Before your car becomes inoperable, there are
some telltale signs that you might be in need of axle repair.
Clicking or Crunching
You will hear this sign around your wheels when you are cornering. The sound will be something like a clicking until you straighten up the wheel. More specifically, this is likely a sign of a bad CV joint. That is much cheaper and easier to fix than the axle itself. There is no way of knowing the difference until you go to a mechanic. If it is a CV joint, you might not notice any symptoms while driving other than the noise. If it is a bad axle, driving problems are sure to follow, so it is important to see a mechanic as soon as possible.
2. Shaking
This can consist of shaking throughout the entire car or just in the steering wheel. It will be much more noticeable than the clicking noise and will likely follow it. This means that if you are experiencing vibrations in your steering wheel, the problem is likely worsening.
Much like the clicking noise, this could be an indicator of a CV joint problem as well. If it only happens while cornering, that is probably the case. Driving when in need of axle repair feels like driving with wheels that are no longer round.
3. Squeaking
This is more common at lower speeds. At highway speeds, this often turns into full-blown shaking. With a minor bend in your axle, the brake rotors will likely rub against the brake pads with every rotation. This often sounds like a whining or a squeaking.
4. Visible Wobble
This will require a second party. You might not notice any driving symptoms, but someone who is watching you drive might notice the tires wobbling.
5. Brake Trouble
When your axle is bent, your tires and brake rotors will likely be misaligned. This means that they will not be making strong, consistent contact with the brake pads for steady braking. If you notice new inconsistency or sensitivity with your brakes, you might need axle repair.
6. Problems Turning
These are slightly different from the clicking sound you might hear. As the problem progresses, you might notice that you are actually having problems physically turning your vehicle. The tires might hesitate after you turn the wheel. You might feel resistance when you try to make tight turns such as U-turns or navigating into a parking space.
Clicking or Crunching
You will hear this sign around your wheels when you are cornering. The sound will be something like a clicking until you straighten up the wheel. More specifically, this is likely a sign of a bad CV joint. That is much cheaper and easier to fix than the axle itself. There is no way of knowing the difference until you go to a mechanic. If it is a CV joint, you might not notice any symptoms while driving other than the noise. If it is a bad axle, driving problems are sure to follow, so it is important to see a mechanic as soon as possible.
2. Shaking
This can consist of shaking throughout the entire car or just in the steering wheel. It will be much more noticeable than the clicking noise and will likely follow it. This means that if you are experiencing vibrations in your steering wheel, the problem is likely worsening.
Much like the clicking noise, this could be an indicator of a CV joint problem as well. If it only happens while cornering, that is probably the case. Driving when in need of axle repair feels like driving with wheels that are no longer round.
3. Squeaking
This is more common at lower speeds. At highway speeds, this often turns into full-blown shaking. With a minor bend in your axle, the brake rotors will likely rub against the brake pads with every rotation. This often sounds like a whining or a squeaking.
4. Visible Wobble
This will require a second party. You might not notice any driving symptoms, but someone who is watching you drive might notice the tires wobbling.
5. Brake Trouble
When your axle is bent, your tires and brake rotors will likely be misaligned. This means that they will not be making strong, consistent contact with the brake pads for steady braking. If you notice new inconsistency or sensitivity with your brakes, you might need axle repair.
6. Problems Turning
These are slightly different from the clicking sound you might hear. As the problem progresses, you might notice that you are actually having problems physically turning your vehicle. The tires might hesitate after you turn the wheel. You might feel resistance when you try to make tight turns such as U-turns or navigating into a parking space.
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