What symptoms need to be changed?

Suspensions in your car will wear out, so you need to keep an eye on their condition, because usually you will have to change them after 100 kilometers. In this article, we will show you how to determine if the suspensions in your car are in poor condition!

🚗 What symptoms need to be changed?

There are certain obvious signs to determine the amount of wear on a gimbal. It is extremely rare that one of them suddenly breaks down, but if this happens, the car will be forced to stop. While gimbal rupture is not actually common, it is still possible if you miss the following symptoms.

Clicking sounds

You cannot miss repeated dry clicks indicating a gimbal issue. You will hear them when cornering, pulling away, changing gears or driving in unstable terrain. They leave no room for doubt: one of your pendants may let you down.

little tip : To understand where the problem is coming from, first turn fully, then roll back and forth.

Significant squeaking and friction

Other noises can alert you to a defective stabilizer: loud crackling when turning the steering wheel at low speed or friction in the niche. These noises cannot escape you and indicate a transmission problem. If you don't care, it may cause the transmission to fail.

Bellows wear

The gimbal bellows should be checked regularly, especially after 100 kilometers. If they are worn out or punctured, the entire suspension is at risk. If you find this in time, the damaged gimbal boot can be replaced!

🔧 How to change a car gimbal?

The gimbal can be replaced by yourself, but it is advisable to have this procedure performed by a professional. 2 logical steps follow replace cardan : dismantling the old one and assembling the new one. But before that, don't forget change gearbox oil... We explain in detail how to proceed!

Required material:

• socket
• Candles
• Toolbox
• Syringe
• Transmission oil

Step 1. Remove the wheel

First remove the corresponding wheel by unscrewing the universal joint nut on the wheel hub. Note that sometimes it is necessary to remove the wheel to gain access to this nut. After removal, the vehicle must be jacked up. Then remove the wheels from the axle in question.

Step 2. Disassemble the stabilizer.

Once the wheels are removed, you can remove the suspension. Begin by disconnecting the wishbone, steering knuckle, and cardan head from the hub. Then you can remove the faulty gimbal.

Step 3. Install a new stabilizer.

Before any assembly, make sure that the old propeller shaft and the new one are identical: their length must be the same, and for the respective vehicles there must also be an ABS crown wheel. Then you must replace the supplied gasket that connects the propeller shaft to the transmission. Remove the gimbal, tighten the locking nut and reassemble the wheel.

Step 4: Inject gear oil

Remember to put gear oil in the filler neck (a syringe may be needed). Your stabilizer has now been replaced!

?? How much does it cost to replace a stabilizer?

If you don't feel the mechanical fiber and prefer to see a professional, be aware that replacing the universal joint is an expensive intervention, such as replacing a clutch or timing belt. Allow 60 to 250 euros for a new stabilizer and 100 to 1000 euros for the entire operation.

The price varies depending on your vehicle and the corresponding stabilizer, front or rear, right or left. However, keep in mind that you should not change two or all four stabilizers at the same time. In most cases, only one of them needs to be replaced.

We are not joking with the serviceability of the cardan shafts: if one of them breaks down, the transfer to the wheels is no longer performed ... and, therefore, it is impossible to move the car forward. Even worse, if it happens in a corner, you will lose control of the steering! So be careful, pay attention to the above signs and change stabilizers if necessary.