There are many things to worry about on a car or truck. You may be do all the right maintenance services to keep it running and driving like new, and features will still fail. While that doesn’t sound very optimistic of the automotive world, it is just the nature of the beast. You can try to keep everything in good working order, but how you drive, stop, and care for the vehicle may not be enough to prevent problems from occurring. One of the toughest built aspects of most cars and trucks are the axles and gears that do all the rotational force to move the wheels and tires. As well they should be, because your car won’t go anywhere without these components, and are used everytime your car or truck is in motion. While axles and rear ends can last a long time, they are prone to failure at some point, especially if you drive your vehicle like a drag car, or enjoy roasting the tires at every stop light. Here are a few signs to look out for that could indicate the need to replace the axles or rear end.
Whining Sounds One of the most annoying sounds a driver can hear is the whine coming from the rear end. It can be a high pitched noise or a lower growl, depending on the issue. But either sound both signal the rear end or axles are about to go out. Purchasing rebuilt rear ends can solve the whining problem and has better longevity in most cases. But the problem could be low gear oil, which is the first thing to check when you start to hear the noise. In rear wheel drive vehicles, the whining sound is especially noticeable, but four-wheel drive has similar problems.
Wheel Fell Off Ok, this one might be a given of a bent axle or a broken one, but none the less, it is a sign that you need to replace the axle for drivability sake immediately. While this is the last straw for shafts, it doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the front or rear axles. They will need to be replaced with new parts though.
Metal Shavings When Changing Differential Oil All differentials require maintenance, just like the engine. The good news, you don’t need to do it as often, and it presents the opportunity to look at the oil. If when changing the oil you see metal shavings, this indicates that there is significant metal on metal happening within the gears or axles. A closer inspection will reveal if the internal components are damaged beyond repair and require replacement.
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