When abnormal vibrations or noises are detected in the driveshaft area, this chart can be used to help diagnose possible causes. Remember that other components such as wheels, tires, rear axle and suspension can also produce similar conditions.
|
| The Problem |
Is Caused By |
What To Do |
|
| Shudder as car accelerates from stop or low speed |
Loose U-joint |
Tighten U-joint or have it replaced |
| |
Defective center bearing |
Have center bearing replaced |
|
| Loud clunk in driveshaft when shifting gears |
Worn U-joints |
Have U-joints replaced |
|
| Roughness or vibration at any speed |
Out-of-balance, bent or dented driveshaft |
Have driveshaft serviced |
| |
Worn U-joints |
Have U-joints serviced |
| |
U-joint clamp bolts loose |
Tighten U-joint clamp bolts |
| Squeaking noise at low speeds |
Lack of U-joint lubrication |
Lubricate U-joint; if problem persists, have U-joint serviced |
|
| Knock or clicking noise |
U-joint or driveshaft hitting frame tunnel |
Correct overloaded condition |
| |
Worn constant velocity joint |
Have constant velocity joint replaced |
|
|
| The Noise Is |
Most Probably Produced By |
|
| Identical under Drive or Coast |
Road surface, tires or front wheel bearings |
| Different depending on road surface |
Road surface or tires |
| Lower as the car speed is lowered |
Tires |
| Similar with car standing or moving |
Engine or transmission |
| A vibration |
Unbalanced tires, rear wheel bearing, unbalanced driveshaft or worn U-joint |
| A knock or click about every 2 tire revolutions |
Rear wheel bearing |
| Most pronounced on turns |
Damaged differential gears |
| A steady low-pitched whirring or scraping, starting at low speeds |
Damaged or worn pinion bearing |
| A chaffering vibration on turns |
Wrong differential lubricant or worn clutch plates (limited slip rear axle) |
| Noticed only in Drive, Coast or Float conditions |
Worn ring gear and/or pinion gear |
|