This is What Happens if Your Drive Shaft Goes Out
When your drive shaft goes out, your safety is at risk. That’s because your drive shaft transfers power from the engine to your car’s rear differential, the system that allows your wheels to turn at different speeds while turning. So how do you know you’ve experienced drive shaft failure? Here are the signs.
What Causes a Drive Shaft to Fail?
Lack of proper maintenance and general wear and tear can cause your drive shaft to go out. Getting consistent inspections, lubrication services, and alignments can keep your drive shaft in good condition. Another reason your drive shaft might go out is if you load up your vehicle beyond its limits, causing stress and straining, so make sure you don’t carry excessively heavy loads in your car.
What Happens if the Drive Shaft Goes Out?
When you experience drive shaft failure, there are a few signs to look out for:
Loss of power — Your vehicle will become sluggish and have trouble maintaining speed.
Vibrations — During acceleration, your car may vibrate. These vibrations can be small tremors all the way up to severe shakes.
Strange noises — You may hear clanking, banging, or rattling coming from underneath your vehicle.
Steering problems — Drive shaft failure causes excessive play in the steering system, making it hard to maintain control.
Loss of movement — In the most severe causes, your car could completely lose movement, leaving your vehicle stranded.
What Should I Do if My Drive Shaft Breaks?
If your drive shaft goes out, the first step is to turn on your hazard lights and slow down. A broken drive shaft can make steering and controlling your car difficult, so reduce your speed as much as possible. Then carefully maneuver your car to a safe location. Driving a vehicle with a broken drive shaft is unsafe, so call a towing company to take your vehicle to your local auto shop. From there, your mechanics should be able to help you officially diagnose the issue and repair your car.
Having Drive Shaft Problems?
Bring your car to Auto Correct for a full inspection. We’ll diagnose any problems and get your vehicle repaired as quickly as possible. Schedule an appointment today!
