When do you need to change car suspensions?

Propeller shafts are essential for the proper functioning of your vehicle as they transfer power from engine straight to the wheels. They are considered to be wearing parts, so you must be very careful about their condition in order to replace them in time and avoid serious damage or even a complete stop of your car. In this article, we will give you all of our tips on when to replace propeller shafts in your car, as well as information on their lifespan, the causes and symptoms of wear and the cost of replacing them!

🗓️ How long is the service life of a car suspension?

Since the universal joints are wear parts, they wear naturally, but wear will be more or less important depending on the car model, the type of transmission and especially the behavior of the owner. It is highly recommended to avoid rough and dry driving because it will damage your car's gimbals very quickly. Typically, stabilizers can start to fail between 100 to 000 kilometers... Thus, when you reach this interval, it is imperative that the condition of your suspensions be checked by a professional in the workshop. Before reaching this mileage, do not hesitate to check the bellows of your gimbals, because if they get damaged they will affect the gimbals performance.

?? What are the causes of stabilizer wear?

Suspensions wear naturally during all vehicle journeys. They can be kept like many other parts and their lifespan extended in case you accept calm and smooth driving... In addition, the gimbals are associated with gimbal bellows, which play an important role in maintaining the health of the gimbals. Thus, wear on the gimbal shoes can also accelerate the wear on the gimbal itself.

🚗 How to know if you need to change the gimbal ?

There are also several visual and auditory manifestations that can alert you to the poor condition of car suspensions. Indeed, your stabilizers will have to be replaced if you encounter one of the following scenarios:

• A clicking sound is heard : This is especially true when steering, turning the steering wheel or changing gears. This is a harsh noise that will be repeated with every maneuver, it gives the propeller shaft in poor condition;
• Cracking and friction noise : This push-pull noise occurs when steering is slow, especially during niche phases. It informs about the imminent rupture of the universal joint and, therefore, about the complete stop of your car;
• Damaged or defective bellows : integral parts of the gimbal, the bellows gradually wear out and are the first parts connected to the gimbal that require visual inspection. If they are cracked, worn, punctured, or if fluid (grease or oil) is present, they must be replaced as soon as possible. It should be noted that if the defective bellows is replaced in time, the stabilizer can be preserved and its service life will be longer.

⏱️ How long does it take to change the stabilizer?

Replacing an automotive gimbal can be time consuming. Indeed, on average, it lasts between 1h and 3h depending on the car model and the location of the cardan to be replaced. The mechanic should remove the faulty propeller shaft, replace it and check the condition of the bellows. Then, as a second step, he should do some checks and tests with this new propeller shaft to ensure that your car is reliable and ready to resume driving.

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

The cost of replacing a cardan joint varies greatly depending on the make and model of the vehicle. For example, on a city car model at entry-level prices, gimbal prices start with 130€ and can achieve more than 700 € for the most prestigious vehicles such as sports or vintage models. These prices include the price of the part as well as the working hours on your vehicle. To find out the exact cost of replacing the universal joint for your car, taking into account its specifics, you can compare the prices of the garages nearest to you online!

At the slightest sign of weakness in one of your stabilizers, you will need to intervene in your vehicle as quickly as possible. This helps keep your vehicle safe and reliable throughout its life and helps prevent unnecessary damage if you break down on one trip. Indeed, without the propeller shaft, the drive wheel with which it is connected will no longer be able to move and you will be completely immobilized until a tow truck arrives and takes you to the nearest garage!