Common Problems and Fixes in Axle Repair
Axle Repair in Hartford, CT
About the Axles
Although components/systems such as the engine and transmission may first come to mind when discussing your vehicle’s functionality, don’t forget the importance of the axles. Axles are basically unsung heroes of movement. They’re not flashy or loud, and we take them for granted. In reality, axles are critical to your car’s operation, transmitting torque from the engine to the wheels and holding the weight of the automobile. Further, the term axle encompasses more than the steel alloy bars spanning between the wheels. Other components such as the CV joints, bearings, and seals are part of the larger assembly. Eventually, your vehicle will likely need some kind of service related to one or more of these parts. The experienced team at Capitol Transmission in Hartford, Connecticut, is here to help you with axle repair.
Common Issues and Repair
There are various underlying causes that necessitate axle repair. Some of these could be a bent or cracked axle. The primary warning sign is extreme vibration when you accelerate. Generally, these conditions require shaft replacement. Attempting to weld a severely damaged axle isn’t safe as this could lead to a catastrophic failure while driving. As mentioned, your automobile may need more than work on the axle shaft itself. One of these is replacement of the rubber CV boot. It protects and seals the continuous velocity (CV) joint. Located at each end of the axle on a front- or all-wheel drive car, this joint connects the axle to the hub and facilitates movement. The boot’s job is to protect it from dirt and moisture that lead to premature wear. It also helps retain the lubricating grease. Replacing torn, cracked, or dry rotting boots can save money and headaches by heading off costlier repairs to the joints themselves. If the CV joint becomes damaged, you may begin to hear pops and clicks while turning. This indicates damage and needs correcting before it breaks. When this happens, we’ll need to replace the CV axle assembly. Another potential problem is escaping grease, typically the result of a failed seal or torn boot. Timely replacement is paramount to prevent bearing failure. Rusty spindles can also become a problem, damaging threads that require specialized repair. Finally, worn joints can lead to unbalanced shafts and damaged wheel bearings, necessitating replacement of any or all of these components.
Sooner is Better than Later
Taking care of small issues before they become big problems is always the best. When you bring your vehicle to us for regular maintenance visits, it allows us opportunities to notice developing problems. Addressing these saves you money in repair costs and can head off a dangerous axle break. Make Capitol Transmission your trusted partner for axle repair.