What are the symptoms of a bad car axle shaft?
2 Answers
Symptoms of a bad car axle shaft: 1. There will be abnormal metal friction noises; 2. Abnormal noises when turning the steering wheel to the extreme left or right; 3. Severe shaking during high-speed driving; 4. Serious body vibration while driving. The axle shaft is an important component of the car's transmission system, used to transmit torque between the differential and the driving wheels. It is divided into inner and outer ends. The inner end is connected to the side gear via splines, while the outer end is connected to the wheel hub via a flange. Axle shaft fractures can occur in various forms, including flange detachment or cracks, straight fractures at the shaft, spiral fractures at the shaft, mixed fractures and cracks at the shaft, and fractures at the splines. Once an axle shaft failure occurs, it needs to be repaired promptly; otherwise, it may affect driving safety.
Last time I had an issue with my car's axle, it started with a clicking noise when turning, especially noticeable during sharp turns. After driving for a few days, I noticed the steering wheel and body shaking during acceleration, and the shaking worsened with speed. Once when checking the tires, I found the inner side of the wheel hub covered in grease—turns out the axle boot had torn, causing the lubricant to leak. The most dangerous moment was on the highway when the car suddenly felt like it was being jerked by something. Later, I learned it was due to excessive axle play causing unstable power transmission. These symptoms gradually worsened. I recommend checking immediately if you notice any unusual noises or shaking—don’t wait until you’re almost stranded like I did.
