To put it simply—your vehicle may not be drivable if it has a damaged axle! Because car axles are continuously rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out, resulting in weak and failing axles. Also, if your car struts are wearing out and aren’t protecting the axles, hitting any bump or pothole in the road can result in a damaged axle. The fact is, though, that axles are built for strength so most drivers won’t actually keep a vehicle long sufficient for axles to break.
So although you may not have a broken axle, the condition of your car axles plays a large role in how well the wheels and suspension system of your vehicle can keep doing their job. The axles not only link the power from the engine to the tires, but they also carry the weight of the entire vehicle and assist in driving, steering, and braking. An axle that is going bad also puts extra stress on the car struts, causing them to wear out faster than usual and adding excessive wear and tear on the tires. Unfortunately, changing car struts, shocks, tires, or axles can be quite expensive.
There are 3 major indicators of how to know if you have a broken axle:
- Power can’t be transferred power from the engine to the wheels).
- A sudden clunking sound was heard when shifting into gear.
- Excessive vibrations can be felt throughout your vehicle while driving.
What can cause axles to break, you ask? Every car is manufactured with a maximum load capacity. Overloading your vehicle with too much cargo or too many passengers puts extra stress on your car struts and axles. And as your car ages, the axles become brittle, diminishing their strength. The axles on an older vehicle with higher mileage are more prone to breaking so try to avoid driving on rough roads or hitting potholes or other obstacles in the road.
Are you wondering how to know if you have a broken axle? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about car struts, shocks, and axles, and to request an appointment. Our auto repair shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
