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Driveline Repair & Replacement Service

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The driveline of your vehicle is a combination of several parts that are separate from the engine and transmission. It is comprised of the driveshaft, axles, wheels, differentials and joints - all parts commonly referred to as the drivetrain. These components work together to steer the vehicle. Driveline repairs can become necessary when there is physical or structural damage, wear and tear, rusting, or breakage to any component of the system.

Symptoms of a Bad Driveline

When you are unable to steer properly or you think there is a problem with the driveline, it’s imperative to schedule an inspection at your local Meineke Car Care Center as soon as possible. A technician can inspect the driveline and provide information on the necessary repairs required to return your vehicle to safe operating conditions. Most commonly this means replacing worn components but it can also entail replacing the entire system. Entire driveline replacement is more common with older vehicles.

Balancing a Driveline Shaft

You may need driveline repair if your vehicle seems to shudder when you step on the gas. You may also hear a loud, hard noise when shifting your vehicle. This indicates there may be an issue with the joints. A technician can inspect your vehicle to look for leaks, cracks in the housing, damage to individual components and overall wear to determine the proper steps for repair.

Driveline Repairs

If you experience any of the vehicle symptoms above, bring your vehicle to Meineke and let our expert technicians take a look. They can look for specific areas of concern and offer repair advice on any component of the driveline that requires it. Inspections and repairs like this can keep your vehicle safe on the road and working at its best.

Drivetrain Troubles?

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Driveline Repair & Replacement Service FAQs

There are a couple of warning signs that can tell you if you need to have your drive shaft looked at, including intense vibrations from underneath the vehicle, abnormal noises, turning problems, and shuddering during acceleration.

The most common reason for an out-of-balance drive shaft is worn out U-joints or slip lines. Other causes include misaligned angles, yokes out of phase, yoke ears that are not concentric with splines, or other out-of-balance components.

It is not advisable to drive with a bad drive shaft. Aside from the vibration that will only get worse and worse, continuing to drive your car can result in further damage to the components of the driveline. If the driveshaft is unable to send the torque power to where it needs to be, other components will need to pick up the slack, meaning they’ll wear down much faster.

The cost of the parts vary greatly depending on the type of car, and the labor costs also depend on how much work your type of vehicle involves. Fixing the driveline may range in cost, but repairs begin around $400.

Yes, there are several things car owners can do to preserve the driveline of their cars, from making sure that engine fluids are always at the right levels to avoiding harsh use of the driveline. It’s also a good idea to ask your mechanic to inspect your car’s CV and universal joints whenever you bring it in, just to check for lack of lubricant or excessive motion.