4 Signs Your BMW X3 Driveshaft Is Failing

The driveshaft or propeller shaft is a vital component of the drive train of a vehicle. Its purpose is to deliver torque generated by the transmission to the wheels in order to propel the car. The driveshaft of a vehicle is subjected to shear stress and thus it should be strong enough to withstand the stress. Driveshaft is commonly found on rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles. Autocar was the first automobile company to use the drive shaft in a vehicle. If it fails to do its job, you might not be able to move your vehicle.

A damaged or failing driveshaft could not do its job and could bring your vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. Moreover, it could cause irreparable damages to the transmission. So, the emergence of different type of warning signs which shows that driveshaft or other components of the drive train are failing should not be neglected. Take your vehicle to a car repair shop to repair or replace the damaged driveshaft in your BMW X3. Let’s find out some of the most common signs of a failing drive shaft in a vehicle.

Symptoms of a bad driveshaft

Scary vibration:

It is one of the most obvious signs of a failing driveshaft in your vehicle. If you notice intense vibration coming from underneath while driving your vehicle, then you should check the condition of the driveshaft immediately. Moreover, you might also experience steering wheel vibration while driving your vehicle due to the failure of a driveshaft. Damaged U-joints and carrier bearings are solely responsible for the emergence of vibration. Leaving it untreated could damage other components of the drive train. Repair or replace the damaged components immediately to keep the vehicle in working order.

Strange noises:

The emergence of loud clunking, squeaking, rattling, or scraping noise from underneath the vehicle shows that the driveshaft has some serious issue that needs immediate attention. Lack of lubrication might be responsible for the emergence of such an unusual noise. Moreover, worn-out u-joint could also make strange loud noises. A defective CV joint might also be responsible for the emergence of such kinds of unusual noises. Never ignore the emergence of such kind of unusual noises while driving your vehicle. Detect and repair the defective components as soon as possible.

Hard to turn:

If your vehicle hesitates to turn immediately, then it indicates that your driveshaft is failing. A damaged drive shaft could prevent wheels from turning. It could limit your ability to get better control over the movement of your vehicle as a result of which you might face difficulties while trying to make a turn. This is a serious issue and could lead to a fatal road accident. So, fix the faults in the drive shaft as soon as possible to get better control over the movement of a vehicle.

Shakes during acceleration:

You might experience a shudder while accelerating your vehicle due to the failure of the driveshaft. A loose or worn U-joint is solely responsible for the emergence of such kind of unusual behavior. Moreover, bad carrier bearing might also be responsible for car shaking or shuddering when accelerating from a low speed.

Driveshaft replacement

Failure of the driveshaft or other components of the drive train could bring your vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. So, if you notice signs of a failing driveshaft in your vehicle, then contact a reputed car repair shop near you immediately to fix the malfunctions.

Wrapping up

The driveshaft is a vital component of the drive train of a vehicle. It delivers the torque generated by the transmission to the wheels which propels the vehicle. Malfunctions in the driveshaft could jeopardize the entire drive train which could bring your vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. So, early signs of a bad drive shaft in your BMW X3 should not be neglected. The emergence of vibration and strange noises are some of the most common symptoms of a failing driveshaft. Inspect the condition of the driveshaft and other components of the drive train regularly and if you detect any kinds of defects, then repair it immediately.

We at Mechanics Direct are family owned automotive servicing and repair shop and have 22 years of experience in looking after cars like Acura, Lexus, Subaru, Toyota, Honda, BMW and Mercedes.