The drive shaft—one of the many vital components contained within an automobile—is needed in order to deliver power to the wheels. Should a drive shaft experience impairment, so too will the rest of the vehicle. For this reason, it’s important to be cognizant of the state of your drive shaft as much as you can.
The questions is: how can you do this? How can you know if your drive shaft is in need of repair in Villa Park, Illinois? There are a few different signs you can look out for, all of which will be discussed below.
Signs of a Faulty Drive Shaft
The signs of a faulty drive shaft vary from discrete to obvious. They present themselves as the following.
Extreme Vibration
Every car vibrates. With all of the components contained under a car’s hood, it’s nearly impossible for them not to. However, there is such a thing as too much vibration in a vehicle, and generally, you’ll know it when you feel it.
If you feel as though your car is vibrating more than usual, it could be experiencing a range of different problems. While the fault could be with your engine or your air conditioner, there’s also a chance that your drive shaft is the source of the problem.
Whatever the case may be, if your vehicle is experiencing substantial vibration, you need to have it checked out by a professional. He or she will be able to locate the source of the problem and can take measures to correct it.
Pounding Noises
Another sign that your drive shaft requires repair is that there’s a pounding noise coming from one or more of your wheels. Pounding noises generally arise due to deteriorated U-joints, and they are a major cause for concern.
The U-joints are used to connect the gearbox to the back axle. As they break down, they cause the drive shaft to become weaker and weaker. Eventually, at some point, this leads to total impairment—that sometimes cannot be fixed.
Therefore, when you hear pounding noises, it’s important that you get your vehicle into the shop as soon as possible. Doing so could add years of use to your vehicle.
Squeaking Sounds
It’s not just pounding sounds that you should listen for. Squeaking sounds are a cause for concern as well. Though squeaking sounds can arise from a number of different sources (such as worn brake pads or deteriorated belts), often times, they come from the drive shaft.
In most cases, when they’re coming from the drive shaft, squeaking sounds are indicative of U-joint deterioration. As such, if you hear squeaking noises, you should have your vehicle checked out as soon as possible.
Turning Troubles
The last sign that your drive shaft needs repair is that you’re having trouble turning your vehicle. If you feel like you have to put all of your body weight into a turn, something is undoubtedly wrong. While turning troubles can be caused by a number of other factors (such as a lack of power steering fluid, for instance), drive shaft impairment is one of the most common factors.
In Need of Drive Shaft Repair in Villa Park, IL?
Is your drive shaft demonstrating signs of wear and tear? In need of a transmission repair company in Villa Park, Illinois? If so, we at King Transmission Company are the people to see.
Our team has repaired countless transmissions and drive shafts over the years, serving thousands of vehicle owners in Villa Park and its surrounding areas. Our mechanics can have your vehicle back to normal in no time.
Contact us now to schedule an appointment!
