Is Your Vehicle In Need Of Diff Repairs?
Typically, motorists do not pay much attention to their vehicle's differential. However, this is a vital system in your car as it is what is responsible for enabling the wheels of your vehicle rotate at varying speeds. This ability of the wheels to turn at different speeds is what provides compensation between the outer wheels and the inner wheels when you are navigating corners or making a turn while driving. If your differential is not functioning properly, it will lead to your wheels spinning at the same rate and this will impede on your ability to make any turns. This is why it is crucial to ensure that your differential is working at optimum at all times. To do so, you would have to be able to discern the signs of impeding diff repairs. So how would you know if your vehicle is in need of diff repairs?
There are vibrations travelling along your vehicle's drive shaft
One of the more common signs of a malfunction differential is if you begin to experience vibrations along your vehicle's drive shaft. These vibrations will typically be conspicuous when you are driving at increased speeds. The vibrations will come about if the universal joints in your vehicle's differential either have become worn over time or have ripped off.
Another reason why you may begin to experience these vibrations along the drive shaft is if the seals on the universal joints have become compromised. Compromised seals, through either cracking or breakage, will lead to a leak in the fluid that lubricates the differential. Inadequate lubrication leads to friction and this in turn causes vibrations in the differential system.
There are clanking sounds when navigating corners
Another sign that your vehicle needs diff repairs is if you begin to hear clanking noises whenever you try to navigate a corner or try to make a turn. This symptom will typically come about when the spider gears in the differential have acquired damage. Compromised spider gears will lead to your differential freezing when you are turning a corner, and this causes the clanking and crunching sounds that you hear. Another reason why you could be hearing clanking sounds when turning a corner is then there is a worn component in the differential. Some of the components that would be susceptible to wear and tear include ring gears, clutches or the positraction. It would be essential to seek car servicing before the entire differential system suffers from complete breakdown.