What Does a Half Shaft Abnormal Noise Sound Like?
2 Answers
The abnormal noise from a half shaft is a metallic friction sound. Due to the small contact area between the half shaft and the drive wheel connection point, the metallic friction sound becomes particularly noticeable under heavy load. Additionally, there is a gap between the half shaft and the wheel hub spline caused by the dust cover, leading to sticky friction at the contact surfaces of the half shaft and wheel hub, which also generates abnormal noise. The half shaft in a car is essentially the drive shaft. When the car is moving and needs to turn, the rotation speeds of the two wheels differ, requiring a differential on the drive shaft. The differential is the device that allows the two wheels to rotate at different speeds, with the half shaft connected to the differential and then to the wheels.
I remember the first time I heard the CV joint noise was when turning, there came metallic clicking sounds from under the car chassis, somewhat like the crisp sound of a wrench tapping on an iron pipe. The faster the speed, the more frequent the sounds, especially noticeable during sharp turns or on uneven roads. Last time when I drove my friend's old sedan, I could hear clicking noises with every turn, which later turned out to be caused by worn-out and loose universal joints on the driveshaft. If the driveshaft wears severely, not only will the noise get louder, but it may also be accompanied by slight vibrations. When encountering such situations while driving, it's best not to delay. These sounds indicate gaps in the drivetrain components, and prolonged neglect could lead to driveshaft fracture causing sudden loss of vehicle control. I recommend checking the CV boot and universal joints at a repair shop as soon as possible, as these are the most vulnerable parts of the driveshaft.
