What are the symptoms of a differential failure?
2 Answers
Differential failure symptoms: 1. Abnormal noises from the vehicle, accompanied by noticeable jerking sensations during acceleration or deceleration; 2. Significant resistance felt when turning; 3. The two drive half-shafts become rigidly connected, maintaining identical rotational speeds for both wheels, which may prevent the vehicle from moving. Functions of the differential: 1. Transmits engine torque from the universal drive assembly to the drive wheels via the final drive, differential, and half-shafts, achieving speed reduction and torque increase; 2. Alters the direction of torque transmission through the final drive bevel gear set; 3. Enables differential action between the two wheels via the differential, ensuring inner and outer wheels rotate at different speeds during turns.
I've found that the most noticeable symptom of a differential failure is a 'clunking' or grinding noise coming from under the car when turning, especially noticeable during low-speed turns—it sounds like gears are fighting each other. During normal acceleration or uphill driving, the entire vehicle body shakes, and the steering wheel wobbles noticeably, making highway driving particularly uncomfortable. Another major issue is uneven tire wear; I've observed that the rear tires always wear out much faster on one side, with severe cases showing clearly visible tread cracks. Oil leakage is also a common sign—after parking, you can see oil stains around the rear axle. Low gear oil levels can cause the differential to overheat and fail. These issues don't just affect driving comfort but may also lead to risks of electronic control system malfunctions. I recommend regularly checking gear oil levels and seals, and not delaying professional diagnosis at the first sign of unusual noises to prevent bigger problems and safety hazards.
