To know what to do in case you need to replace your drive shafts, it’s essential to know what it does and how to recognise the symptoms when it no longer works properly. Here we’ll give you an overview to help you assess if you need a replacement. First, let’s talk about what it does.
The purpose of a drive shafts in a light vehicle is to transmit torque from the transmission to the final drive or, in the case of a transaxle, directly to the wheels. To do this, the mazda 3 drive shaft must be able to work through varying angles and alter its overall length to accommodate movement in the suspension
How does a drive shaft work?
A drive shaft has an axle journal on the wheel side, which connects it to the wheel axle or car wheel hub. On the wheel side is a suspension arm ball joint, which allows the attachment for the wheel to move in all directions, even if the wheel and the drive shaft turn at the same time. The ball joint makes it flexible for steering movements while at the same time enabling the transmission of power from the gearbox to the wheel. On the other side of the drive shaft, facing the gearbox, you will find the tripod joint or constant velocity joint.
The constant velocity joint ensures a uniform rotary movement, while at the same time compensating for movements of the vehicle suspension. In rear-wheel drive vehicles, these joints are also used in the drive shafts. Some vehicles have movable drive shafts to compensate for differences in design. The joints must be protected from dirt and moisture and lubricated with grease. Therefore, they are covered with flexible rubber sleeves that keep dirt and moisture away from the and prevent grease from escaping and the joints from drying out. The entire power of the drive is transmitted to the wheels via the drive shafts. Therefore, they are exposed to very high loads. However, the drive shafts are designed to last the life of the car. Only in rare cases does a drive shaft break while driving.
Signs that your drive shaft may be defective
The drive shaft is made up of several parts, so if you suspect that it is defective, you need to figure out which one it is. For instance, the drive shaft joint could be broken or worn, or only the axle sleeve over the joint might be cracked or ripped. The earliest indications that a drive shaft is going bad are a clattering noise when you drive and a vibrating steering wheel, particularly while going around bends. If the problem is at a more progressed stage, you will hear a repetitive clicking noise when you start your car and while cornering, and the drive shaft will begin to squeak. If the drive shaft is not sealed properly, you may also notice some oil leaking from the gearbox.
Often it is wear or damage to the sleeves by external influences that significantly shortens the life of a drive shaft causing dirt and moisture to get to the joints of the drive shaft. The lubricating grease escapes, which means that the joints run dry very quickly and are subject to excessive wear. You can usually detect defective joints by loud and annoying clacking noises. If the signs of wear are not so far advanced, it is enough to just replace the cuffs. The causes of a defect can vary a lot. If an axle boot is damaged, we advise taking the car in for repair as quickly as you can.
For drive shafts to last as long as possible, they should be inspected by a specialist workshop at regular intervals. This is usually done as part of the maintenance intervals prescribed by the manufacturer. It is also important to check the condition of the collars, e.g. when changing from winter to summer tyres. The most important thing here is that the cuffs have no cracks and that the joints are completely sealed.
How to measure the drive shaft
If you need to replace the drive shaft itself, you have to measure the length to be able to replace it with a compatible one. If you still have the original drive shaft, you can measure it to make sure the replacement is the correct size.
The process to measure the length of the drive shaft is pretty simple. When you have the transmission yoke, put it on the tail shaft and push it all the way onto the splines. It should stay on the bottom and be compressed all the way. Now take a measurement from the middle of the U-joint on the gear yoke to the middle of the opposing U-joint or the surface of the flange. In the case that your car doesn’t have a gear yoke, just take the measurement from the tip of the tail shaft to the middle of the U-joint or the flange’s surface which is located at the other end of your vehicle’s rear and front drive shaft.
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