What are the symptoms of a bad car driveshaft?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a bad car driveshaft include squeaking noises when starting or driving the vehicle, or impact sounds during operation. The driveshaft consists of multiple components, and each type of noise indicates issues with different parts. For instance, if a clunking sound occurs during sudden acceleration or deceleration while driving, it suggests severe wear of the universal joint or excessive clearance. A bent driveshaft may produce periodic meshing noises from the rotating gears. If you hear unusual sounds but are unsure, you can manually shake various parts of the driveshaft when parked to check for installation errors or loose connections.
When the driveshaft malfunctioned, I experienced noticeable vibrations. While accelerating, there was a rattling noise from under the chassis, sounding somewhat like metal grinding; the noise became louder when turning, and the car body swayed side to side, making the steering wheel feel unstable. At higher speeds, the vibrations intensified, especially when overtaking on the highway—I was worried about losing control. Later, at the repair shop, it turned out the universal joint was worn and corroded. The mechanic said an unbalanced driveshaft could affect the entire drivetrain and recommended replacing it early to avoid potential damage to the transmission or tires, or even increased fuel consumption. It’s important to pay attention to these abnormalities while driving—don’t wait for small issues to escalate into major problems that could compromise safety.
