Asked by: Prospero Agulleiro
automotive auto parts

Should a drive shaft have any play?

28
shouldn't be any play between the u-joints. most of the time the play is in the rear end and tranny/t-case(normal). There will be just a little slack if you try and rotate the drive shaft, but it should not move around any other way. If it does, you've got problems.


In this manner, what are the signs of a bad drive shaft?

Signs of a bad driveshaft/drivetrain

  • Vibrations from under the vehicle. A common symptom of a failing driveshaft is an intense shaking coming from underneath the vehicle.
  • Difficulty turning.
  • Loud clunking noise.
  • Car shudders upon acceleration.
  • Squeaking noise.
  • Clicking or knocking noise.

Also, how much does it cost to fix a drive shaft? On the high end, the cost can be as much as $2,000. On average, the labor costs will be about $70, but some cars will take a lot more work and can cost two or three times that amount. Parts will vary significantly from one vehicle to the next. The average cost of parts of drive shaft repair is between $400 and $600.

People also ask, can you drive with a bad drive shaft?

A broken driveshaft can prevent wheels from turning properly, giving you trouble when trying to make turns. This issue limits your overall control of the car. You need any issues that prevent you from driving the car correctly addressed right away for safe driving and continued use of the vehicle.

What causes a drive shaft to fail?

Vibrations from under the vehicle – Worn out u-joints or bushings can cause the driveshaft to vibrate. If you don't get the u-joints or bushings serviced, it can lead to further damage to other drivetrain components. Please note that tire problems can also cause vibration problems, but it's easy to tell them apart.

Related Question Answers

Faith Jellenik

Professional

What does a bad drive shaft sound like?

Abnormal noises
If the bushing or bearing that support the driveshaft, or the driveshaft U-joints wear out or fail it they can interfere with the driveshaft's ability to rotate correctly. This may result in unusual rattling, clunking, or even scraping sounds from underneath the vehicle.

Marco Mela

Professional

Is the drive shaft part of the transmission?

Drive Shaft.
The drive shaft is a spinning tube that connects to the rear of the transmission and transmits the spinning power that began in the engine to the back of the vehicle at the differential (more on that in a bit).

Eumenio Tapioles

Explainer

Is drive shaft connected to transmission?

The drive shaft is the part on the lower right side of the picture. The other end of it would be connected to the transmission. On front wheel drive cars the driveshaft is not used. The transmission and differential is combined into one unit called a transaxle.

Coca Brelie

Explainer

How do you know if your rear end is going out?

Signs of a Bad Rear Differential
  • Noise in Gear from an Idle. When the vehicle is turned on and first put into drive, there may be a rattle or clanking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle.
  • Grinding Gears at Speed. When the vehicle accelerates, there may be more noises like a hum or continued clank from the rear.
  • Vibration and Fluid Leak.

Kaltouma Reol

Explainer

What does a bad carrier bearing sound like?

“Rumbling or whirring” at speeds over 20 mph can be caused by worn carrier bearings. The noise may change while cornering or turning. Regular “clunking” or loud “clicking” every few feet may indicate a broken ring or pinion gear tooth. A “Rumble” while cornering or turning may indicate bad wheel bearings.

Kevyn Warncke

Pundit

How does a driveshaft get out of balance?

Vibration in a driveshaft can be caused by many conditions. One of the most common cause of driveline vibration are worn U-joints or slip splines, out-of-balance components, yokes out of phase or misaligned angles, approaching critical speed range, and yoke ears that are not concentric with the splines.

Lukasz Sultana

Pundit

How long should a drive shaft last?

If you allow the driveshaft to die completely, then it will reach the point where the wheels no longer receive any power. While there is no set lifespan of a driveshaft, it typically can last about 75,000 miles. Keep in mind depending on the vehicle, and wear and tear you may get much less or much more.

Shama Deinert

Pundit

What parts make up a drivetrain?

The drivetrain is comprised of a collection of components in a vehicle that transfer power from the transmission to the wheels/ drive it forward. These components include the driveshaft, CV joints, the differential, the axle shafts and the U-joints.

Aridian Behrendsen

Pundit

What are the symptoms of a broken drive shaft?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Universal Joint (U-Joint)
  • Squeaking noise when starting to move (forward or reverse)
  • “Clunk” with a ringing sound when shifting from Drive to Reverse.
  • Vibration felt throughout the vehicle while moving forward at speed.
  • Transmission fluid leaks from the rear of the transmission.
  • Vehicle cannot move under its own power; driveshaft dislocated.

Guaditoca Osua

Teacher

What causes U joint failure?

Misalignment of the driveshaft can happen when modifications are made to the rear differential or the transmission's mounting. Misalignment will create excess vibration that can literally “shake” the u-joint apart, damage seals that reduce lubrication, and ultimately cause the u-joint to fail.

Kalinka Iruclis

Teacher

How do you measure a slip yoke drive shaft?

Measure the diameter of the output shaft on the transmission. In addition, count the number of splines on the output shaft. Measure the distance that the transmission output shaft extends past the end of the tailshaft housing. Measure the outer diameter of the driveshaft yoke.

Tameika Yakovchenko

Reviewer

Can you drive a car without a drive shaft?

It's rather difficult to operate a vehicle without a drive shaft. The transmission output shaft would just sit there and spin. Front drive only vehicles essentially have two drive shafts. Most all wheel drive vehicles would suffer damage if you tried to drive without one or more of the drive shafts.

Co-Authored By:

EveryThingWhat Staff Editor

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2nd September, 2021

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