Cardan shaft in a car - how to care for one of the most important components of the drive system?
Content
What is a drive shaft?
The cardan shaft is one of the most important elements of the car. Why? Because it has a real impact on the correct operation of the car and, in particular, on its drive.. This is a component of every rear-wheel drive car. This allows torque to be transmitted from the engine to the target location and hence the movement of the road wheels. It allows almost lossless transmission of mechanical energy through a complex mechanism. The shaft structure in the car is strong and has an incredibly long service life. This is due to the fact that he has to withstand significant overloads.
Building a shaft in a car
A classic cardan shaft in a car consists of many elements. One of them is the flange connection, which is responsible for dissipating power from the drive. It is attached to the bridge on one side and to the gearbox on the other. The next part of the shaft in the car is the cardan joint (the so-called universal joint). It connects individual elements and is mounted on special forks and additional bearings. It is connected to a pipe, the task of which, in turn, is to fix the cardan shaft housing in the hinge itself. Proper contact with the sliding joints is provided by an element called the housing. The joints themselves protect the structure from relative rotation. This may be caused by unexpected torque.
Why do you need to remember to check the condition of the cardan shaft?
The drive shaft in the car is subjected to significant forces and overloads. It can be damaged due to misuse and maintenance errors. For this reason, one should not forget to check its technical condition during periodic inspections and visits to the mechanic.
What are the most common car drive shaft failures?
Like any element, the driveshaft in a car can also be damaged. The caliper often needs to be replaced, which may be due to its relatively low quality. A common problem is also the incorrect balancing of the entire structure, which can also be caused by mechanical impact, for example, when colliding with another vehicle. At the same time, the drive shaft absorbs the force between the vehicles while protecting other components such as gearboxes or axles.
Also, non-parallelism of the active and passive axes is often observed. This phenomenon is another cause of cardan shaft damage. Therefore, this aspect also needs to be controlled. Also, one should not forget about the need to balance the entire drive system, and at the same time correctly position the clutches in relation to each other. All work must be carried out with the utmost precision and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Fortunately, the latter most often apply appropriate markings to the elements, which makes it easier to position them.
Is it possible to repair the drive shaft yourself?
We often face the question of whether it is possible to repair the cardan shaft on our own. So drivers and car owners want to save money. Of course, you can repair the shaft in the car yourself. However, if you want to fix a problem in a car yourself, consider whether you have the appropriate knowledge, technical documentation, as well as tools and manual skills. Incorrect replacement can lead to tragic damage, or even breakage of the shaft while driving.
Surely many readers did a number of independent repairs that were carried out on their own car. However, remember that if you decide to service the vehicle yourself, and in particular the cardan beam, you must have a garage with a pit or a hydraulic lift. Otherwise, troubleshooting will be difficult or even impossible. Attempts to take corrective action in an inadequately prepared workshop may result in further damage in the future.
How much does it cost to repair a driveshaft in a car?
Many drivers are looking for information on how much it costs to repair a driveshaft in a car. It all depends on the model of the car, its brand and year of manufacture, as well as on the workshop, whose services we use. Typically, the diagnostic itself is free of charge, and the price list for individual service activities starts from 10 euros. Complex regeneration of the cardan shaft in a car with anti-corrosion protection usually costs 500-100 euros.
By using the services of a specialist, you can be more confident that the malfunction will not recur over the next several tens or even hundreds of thousands of kilometers, depending on the characteristics of operation.
