What are the signs of worn out driveshafts?

[bobfredstinker]

Just trying to do a bit of troubleshooting and wondering what are the classic signs that I may need new driveshafts? I have a few symptoms but rather than list them (because I'm useless at describing these things) I'd rather match my problem to the suggestions you come up with (or not, as the case may be.)

Thanks.

[vxr2010]

Hi go under the car grab the middle of one and see how much play back and forth you have In them , plus when turning you normally get a bumping noise

[Janosh]

vxr2010 said:

Hi go under the car grab the middle of one and see how much play back and forth you have In them , plus when turning you normally get a bumping noise

Make sure you're holding the CV joint if you're twisting the half shaft or else you'll probably just feel the backlash in the diff rather than the play in the CV's...

[bobfredstinker]

Janosh said:

Make sure you're holding the CV joint if you're twisting the half shaft or else you'll probably just feel the backlash in the diff rather than the play in the CV's...

I'm not particularly practical when it comes to cars - what is the CV joint...?

[vxr2010]

The drive shaft has a cv joint on each end one goes to the wheel the other the diff , and a metal rod between each cv joint , there will be some play in them

[bigwheel]

bobfredstinker said:

I'm not particularly practical when it comes to cars - what is the CV joint...?

Constant Velocity. As the rear wheel moves up and down with the suspension, the angle of the joint changes without any rotational speed difference between either side of the joint (input from the differential side through the drive-shaft to output to the road-wheel).
The same CV joint is used on front-wheel drive cars where the joint also needs to incorporate steering movement.

CV joints are supposed to be smoother than old type UJ (universal joint). You can google that yourself!

Edited by bigwheel on Thursday 23 July 00:52