Axle Shaft

Used & Rebuilt Axle Shaft

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Axle Shaft

What is an axle shaft?

Axle shafts are heavy-duty and load-bearing components used in automobiles. They are what allow the vehicles to roll and facilitate the movement of their vehicles. Also known as CV axles or half-shafts, these are crucial drive train components that transfer the rotational force from the vehicle’s transmission to the wheels attached to the axles. They are designed to support heavy loads including cargo, riders, vehicle’s own mass etc. However, it is still possible to wrap or break an axle shaft by overloading it.

Axle shafts are primarily responsible for transferring the transmission’s rotational force and power to make the vehicle move. When the axle shaft rotates due to the force from the transmission, the wheels connected to it also turn. Every axle shaft has a differential between two universal (UV) joints and two half axles.

Symptoms of a failing axle shaft

Even though axle shafts are built to be tough, an overloaded vehicle can sometimes crack or break an axle. Bad carrier bearings and bad potholes are some other common causes of axle shaft problems.

There are four ways to tell if your vehicle’s axle shaft needs repair or replacement. It is best to call in a professional to check your vehicle if you encounter one of the following axle shaft damage –

1. Vibrations While Driving – If you experience vibrations while driving, it could be an indication of a failing axle shaft. This is especially the case if these vibrations get more intense with increase in speed and are accompanied by an unusual bouncy feeling feel while driving. A replacement would be necessary in this scenario.

2. Grease On The Inside Or Edges Of The Tires – The presence of grease underneath the vehicle or on the inside or edges of tires are a sign of a leaking CV axle boot, which is basically the covering over the CV joint. The grease is present in the CV axle joint boots to keep it from leaking, thus if the boot starts leaking, the lubrication will suffer and could possibly lead to the failure of the joint. Therefore, in this scenario, its best to call in a mechanic.

3. A loud Clanking, Clicking Or Clunking – If you start noticing unusually loud clanking or clucking when you put your vehicle into gear or if your vehicle seem to struggle to get power when it starts to move, then there is a possibility of axle-joint damage. This kind of noise is usually an indication that the transmission is unable to transfer power properly to the wheels due to the slack in joints. You may also hear unusual clicking sounds while turning the vehicle in case of a constant velocity axle fail. These clicks will be on the side of the faulty axle shaft and generally become noisier during sharp or fast turns.

4. Going Nowhere Fast – If your vehicle goes nowhere even after starting fine, going into gear and having a normal engine sound, it most likely has a broken axle at the universal joint. When this is the case, no matter how much you press the accelerator pedal, the engine will only rev and the vehicle will not move. You will need to get the axle shaft replaced in this situation.