Drive Shaft repair & replacement made easy

On rear-wheel drive (and all-wheel drive) cars the driveshaft transfers the power from the engine to rear wheels to be distributed over the two rear wheels. In some cars the driveshaft connects to a transaxle (a gearbox and differential mounted at the back of the car), but in most cars it transfers the power from the gearbox attached to the engine at the front to a differential at the back.

• The mechanic will jack the car safely.
• The mechanic will inspect the drive shaft.
• If necessary the mechanic will replace the faulty driveshaft
• The mechanic will advise if other components need to be replaced.
• The mechanic will re-check the drive assembly and test drive the car.
• If necessary, the mechanic will make adjustments.

Unless you are a qualified mechanic with the required skills, training and equipment to do the job, we strongly recommend a drive shaft replacement is only carried out by a professional mechanic. ClickMechanic can help get you a vetted and local mechanic to carry out the work. Just enter your postcode and your car's registration number at the top of this page and select the work needed to get an instant fixed price up front.

• When the car vibrates whilst driving, noticeable through the steering wheel.
• When there is a thudding or clunking noise coming from underneath or the back of the car.
• When there is a squeaking noise coming from underneath or the back of the car.
• When the car does not move at all.

A drive shaft replacement typically takes 1 hour, but can take less or more time. Ultimately, the time that the job will take depends on a range of factors. For example, your vehicle's make and model, year, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.

While the driveshaft itself is usually not prone to wear over time and there is no set lifespan, it can get damaged. Usually due to an accident or because the shaft was damaged will driving over a bump or through a pothole. In many cases like this the car becomes practically undriveable with severe knocking noises.

Addressing issues with the drive shaft timely and professionally is key to prevent further, more expensive, damage to the car. Should you experience problems with driveshaft then it is advisable to have it inspected and, if necessary, have the driveshaft replaced. Always service the driveshaft as and when stipulated in the guidelines set out by your car's manufacturer.

Driving with a broken or defective drive shaft can potentially be dangerous lead to further damage to your vehicle. If you suspect there is any issue with your drive shaft or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic immediate effect and do not drive the vehicle.

The cost for a prop shaft replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Furthermore it will also depend on your location.

Yes, it is dangerous to drive with a bad CV joint. Over time the CV joint can deteriorate if its protective CV boot is damaged, and the grease inside gets contaminated. Ultimately this can lead to the part disintegrating when you drive which could mean you lose control over the vehicle.

If you suspect there is any issue with your CV joints or there are concerns about its age or condition, book an inspection with a professional mechanic immediate effect and do not drive the vehicle.

A prop shaft is slghtly different from the drive shafts in that the prop shaft on rear wheel drive or 4 wheel drive vehicles transfers power from the engine and gearbox to the rear wheels. A drive shaft, on the other hand, transfers power to a wheel usually from a differential on the front or rear of the car.

Yes, a worn drive shaft can lead to an MOT failure if one its component checked during the MOT has an issue. For example, vehicles often fail their MOT on the CV joint section of the driveshaft, or indeed the CV boots.

When your driveshaft goes out or fails you will hear a loud grinding or clunking noise as the driveshaft breaks. It can lead to the wheels no longer turning properly and a loss of control of the car. It will very likely also lead to further damage to the suspension and drivetrain.

It's important to get your driveshafts checked periodically and address any issues.

A drive shaft must rotate extremely fast to do its job, so it must stay weighted down and balanced precisely. If the car is backed up into another object, the impact can disrupt this balance and cause the drive shaft to break. Sometimes even hitting a curb too abruptly can break the drive shaft.

Lack of lubrication can sometimes also cause damage to the driveshaft and its related components.

You can usually expect it to last 70,000 miles or even the entire lifetime of a car in an ideal situation. How long the drive shaft lasts depends a lot on driving habits, vehicle modifications and other external factors.