If your car is vibrating and squeaking, it is likely that the driveshaft is overdue for service. The driveshaft is part of the drivetrain. It is the drivetrain part that turns the wheels. Generally, the driveshaft should be inspected once a year to make sure that the parts are not wearing out. During this inspection, we will also lubricate the driveshaft if it needs it. If your car is vibrating in squeaking, this is a sign that the driveshaft does need to be lubricated and that you may have some worn parts. Let’s talk more about this below.
The Vibrating
There are two specific parts in the driveshaft that will make the underside of your vehicle vibrate while you are driving your automobile. The universal joint is the first part. If it is wearing out, it can cause shaking underneath your automobile, especially when you accelerate. In fact, if the shaking gets worse when you accelerate, it’s a safe bet that the U-joint, as it is also called, needs to be replaced.
Other driveshaft parts that will make your vehicle vibrate are the driveshaft bushings and the central bearings. Again, if your automobile is vibrating and shuddering when you accelerate, your driveshaft needs some immediate attention. You want to make sure that you replace the worn parts before they cause a severe problem with the driveshaft. If the drive shaft malfunctions, your wheels may not turn.
The Squeaking
Lack of lubrication is the reason why the driveshaft is squeaking. Specifically, you will hear the squeaking coming from underneath your automobile. As we talked about above, the center bearings and U-joint can wear out and make your vehicle vibrate. They will also make the driveshaft squeak if they are overdue for lubrication. It is important to have the driveshaft lubricated whenever it needs it.
The U-joint can also start to knock or clunk if it is wearing out. In fact, when the driveshaft starts to clunk, the U-joint is seriously worn and needs to be replaced as soon as possible. If you fail to replace the U-joint, it could wear down completely and damage the driveshaft. A worn driveshaft will also make scraping or rattling sounds. Bring your vehicle to our shop if you hear any of these noises.
We are your one-stop shop for all of your automotive service and repair needs including the driveshaft. Give us a call today to set up a service visit if it has been more than a year since you have had your drivetrain inspected.
