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how much does it cost to repair a drive shaft

by Romaine Champlin DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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In most cases, a new drive shaft costs somewhere between $300 and $1300. Fortunately, it only takes about an hour to replace it. A repair usually costs much less, around $200 to $300 including parts and labor, but this also depends on how many parts need to be replaced.May 25, 2022

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair a drive shaft?

Usually, the Drive Shaft Repair costs will differ based on what caused the issue and how fast it can be repaired. If you just have to replace it, that would be anywhere from $500 to $1000. However, you can also expect the cost of the parts to be around half that number and the labor costs around $200.

What are the symptoms of a bad drive shaft?

What a Bad Driveshaft Noise Sound Like and How to Tell if a Driveshaft is Bad

  • Rattles. A broken or damaged driveshaft will typically cause a bad vibration and rattling when you're on the gas.
  • Squeaks. A damaged coupling or bad driveshaft bearing can cause this noise, but this symptom is rare. ...
  • Clunks and other harsh noises. This is the most common symptom of a damaged driveshaft. ...
  • Uneven acceleration. ...

How much does a drive shaft cost?

Drive Shaft Replacement Cost. You can expect the parts cost to be anywhere from $320 to $750, while the labor costs are only around $150 to $190. If you have a rear wheel or four wheel drive vehicle which as a long drive shaft to power the rear wheels, then expect to pay somewhere in the range of $600 to $2,000. Subsequently, one may also ask, is a broken drive shaft expensive to fix?

How much does it cost to replace a cv shaft?

While it’s not a part that normally needs to be replaced, it’s more commonly changed after 150,000km. Car designs differ greatly – some CV shafts have a single CV joint while others have one at each end – so the cost to replace a CV shaft can vary from $300 to $1,300 or more.

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Is it worth fixing a drive shaft?

The Drive Shaft Repair process is very important. If your vehicle has issues more often than not the drive shaft can be problematic and you have to fix it. If the driveshaft just doesn't work the way it should, it can end up being super demanding and your vehicle will malfunction more and more.

Can you drive with a damaged drive shaft?

While it is usually possible to drive with a bad drive shaft, it's usually not very wise to do it for long. If part of the drive shaft were to snap, you'll lose power to that axle in the best case scenario. The drive shaft may fall and get wedged between the ground and your vehicle, restricting forward movement.

How long does it take to fix a drive shaft?

That's very difficult to answer due to the multiple variables involved in removing and replacing hard to access components such as the center driveshaft on a front wheel drive vehicle like your Edge. However, in general, this type of job can often be completed in one business day; or less than 8 service hours.

How serious is a drive shaft problem?

A broken driveshaft can prevent wheels from turning properly, giving you trouble when trying to make turns. This issue limits your overall control of the car. You need any issues that prevent you from driving the car correctly addressed right away for safe driving and continued use of the vehicle.

How do I know if my driveshaft is broken?

Signs of a bad driveshaft/drivetrainVibrations from under the vehicle. A common symptom of a failing driveshaft is an intense shaking coming from underneath the vehicle. ... Difficulty turning. ... Loud clunking noise. ... Car shudders upon acceleration. ... Squeaking noise. ... Clicking or knocking noise.

What causes a drive shaft to fail?

Improper stiffness matching between the left and right smooth shafts, which results in a larger torque transmitted to the right spline, is the root cause of the drive shaft failure.

Does drive shaft affect transmission?

A drive shaft is a rod-like component that transmits torque from your vehicle's engine to the wheels. It's essentially the shaft that drives your vehicle. The driveshaft transmits torque at varying angles between driveline components.

What does a broken drive shaft sound like?

Another symptom of driveshaft issues is loud clunking noises. These noises are usually produced by worn-out u-joints. The ability of your driveshaft to rotate correctly is altered if your vehicle has a faulty u-joint. Lack of u-joint lubrication can cause squeaking noises when you drive at low speeds.

Can you drive a car without a drive shaft?

Can you drive a 4WD truck without a front or rear driveshaft? Yes, this is possible, if you drive a traditional 4WD with a lockable center differential. Remove the damaged drive shaft and lock the center differential.

How many hours does it take to replace a drive shaft?

In terms of labor, it should not take more than two hours. In most cases, it takes about an hour to replace a drive shaft. This means the total cost will be around $400 to $1500 including labor and parts. You could save a few bucks by replacing the driveshaft yourself as it is not a very difficult process.

Is it easy to replace drive shaft?

Changing a drive shaft is actually a simple task that a home mechanic can undertake without too much trepidation. It's just a case of being thorough, being safe, and of course having your trusty Haynes Manual to hand.

Can drive shaft be repaired?

Drive shaft repair or replacement is necessary to be carried out. This is to bring your vehicle to working order. Without these repairs, you may end up with a broken driveshaft. A driveshaft that is completely broken is unable to transmit torque to the wheels.

How often does a drive shaft need to be replaced?

While there is no set lifespan of a driveshaft, it typically can last about 75,000 miles. Keep in mind depending on the vehicle, and wear and tear you may get much less or much more.

What should a broken drive shaft repair cost?

Usually, the Drive Shaft Repair costs will differ based on what caused the issue and how fast it can be repaired. If you just have to replace it, that would be anywhere from $500 to $1000. However, you can also expect the cost of the parts to be around half that number and the labor costs around $200.

How to save money on this repair

Do the research. It may be tempting to perform a driveshaft repair on your own. If you don’t however have the proper tools then attempting a drive shaft repair on your own will end up costing you more money in the long run.

How to fix a Broken Drive Shaft if you absolutely have to?

WARNING: Drive shaft repair is a crucial part of your car and can cause various other issues if the repair or replacement goes wrong.

How much does it cost to fix a broken drive shaft?

The price of the broken drive shaft repair cost on the high end can go upward of $2,000, with the average labor costs being around $70, but sometimes doubling if the car is a difficult one to assess. Parts will vary depending on ...

How to tell if drive shaft is broken?

Vibrations. If you are driving your car and you all of a sudden realize that it is not the smooth ride yo are used to and you feel vibrations, especially through the steering wheel, then this is a sign that you need to look at the broken drive shaft repair cost that you might have to pay. This is a clear sign your drive shaft is damaged ...

What happens if you wear out drive shaft bushings?

If these bushings are worn out, the drive shaft will become damaged, vibrate, and you are looking at a higher broken drive shaft repair cost. If the problem with the bushings and drive shaft are not fixed relatively quickly, the vibrations will get more noticeable and more severe, leading to other issues like passenger discomfort ...

Why is my car's drive shaft not rotating?

If the U-joint in your car or your drive shaft is rotating too fast or does not rotate properly at the right speeds or location, then this is a clear problem with your drive shaft in your car. The seals of the bearings could have been corroded or rusted over time, or the U-joint has become shaky and unstable, leading to a higher broken drive shaft ...

What happens if the drive shaft breaks?

If the parts of the drive shaft were to completely break in two and snap during use, you will lose power to the axle and prevent the ability to drive smoothly. In addition, the drive shaft can get wedged between the ground you are driving on and your car, leading to the inability to move your car forward.

What is the function of the drive shaft?

The drive shaft. Also known as the propeller shaft, is a long rod that has a main function of transmitting torque from the transmission to the rear wheels. Basically, the torque must be sent from the output shaft to the rear differential. The rear differential in your car functions to connect to the transfer case or transmission via the drive shaft.

What is the function of a rear differential?

The rear differential in your car functions to connect to the transfer case or transmission via the drive shaft. The differential is in charge of transferring the engine's power to the rear wheels to make them move, and is responsible for changing the direction so the car can move side to side and not just forward and backward.

How much does it cost to repair a drive shaft?

Parts will vary significantly from one vehicle to the next. The average cost of parts of drive shaft repair is between $400 and $600.

How to tell if a drive shaft is in need of repair?

You can look for signs like a lack of power, difficulty getting the car to move or squeaking, clanking or vibration when the car is in motion. All these may indicate that the drive shaft is in need of repairs.

What happens if you don't get your drive shaft repaired?

Benefits of Drive Shaft Repair. If you don’t get your drive shaft repaired, there are serious consequences for your car in the future, but having this repair done means that you will be avoiding a lot of expensive repairs later. This can be a pretty costly job already, and the sooner you get it done, the more money you will save.

Some of the symptoms of a bad driveshaft:-

Because the bushings are in charge of keeping the driveshaft from moving or shaking in the first place. The vibrations are mainly caused by worn-out bushings within the driveway. If these bushings wear out, the drive shaft will be destroyed, resulting in higher expenditures. If the problem with the bushings and driveshaft is not addressed soon.

Cost to repair a Broken Drive Shaft

If only a half-shaft needs to be replaced for a damaged driveshaft repair in the front of the car. The total cost will normally be between $470 and $940. The typical cost of parts is between $320 and $750, with labor costs ranging between $150 and $190.

How much does it cost to replace a half shaft?

If you’re just replacing a half-shaft for your front wheel drive car, then it will cost anywhere from $470 to $940. You can expect the parts cost to be anywhere from $320 to $750, while the labor costs are only around $150 to $190. If you have a rear wheel or four wheel drive vehicle which has a long drive shaft to power the rear wheels, ...

What is a drive shaft?

A drive shaft (also called a propeller shaft) is essentially a long rod that is designed to transmit torque from the output shaft of the transmission to the rear differential in a rear wheel drive, four wheel drive, or all wheel drive vehicle.

Why does my drive shaft vibrate?

This is usually the first symptom that people recognize when there is a drive shaft problem. The vibrations are likely due to worn out bushings of the drive shaft. These bushings are what normally keep the drive shaft from vibrating in the first place. If the problem is not fixed soon, the vibration will get more severe.

How many drive shafts does a 4 wheel drive vehicle have?

In the case of a four wheel drive or all wheel drive vehicle, you may find that it actually has two separate drive shafts: one for transmitting power to the front and another to transmit power to the back. This will depend on the manufacturer’s implementation of the four wheel drive or all wheel drive system.

What happens if you disconnect the drive shaft?

If the drive shaft were to disconnect on one side while it’s still spinning quickly, there is a good chance it will do massive damage to the underside of your vehicle. Remember that if one end is still connected to the vehicle, the drive shaft will continue spinning for a moment and take out anything in its path.

What happens if you don't fix a vibration?

If the problem is not fixed soon, the vibration will get more severe. It will get so bad that your passengers will be able to feel it too. The worst part is that other drivetrain components can also be affected and damaged. Note that vibrations that increase with speed may mean your tires need to be balanced.

Can you drive a car with a bad drive shaft?

While it is usually possible to drive with a bad drive shaft, it’s usually not very wise to do it for long. If part of the drive shaft were to snap, you’ll lose power to that axle in the best case scenario. The drive shaft may fall and get wedged between the ground and your vehicle, restricting forward movement.

How much does it cost to balance a driveshaft?

The cost to balance a driveshaft depends on your car and the mechanic you choose. Our research shows that professional labor costs about $125-$190, but this varies widely depending on where you go. Also, if you need new U-joints, which are required in most repairs, your bill can come to $220 or even more .

Important things to remember

A balanced driveshaft is extremely important for a smooth driving experience. The torque from the engine and transmission must be equal to each other, as well as at the same speed at which your car’s driveshaft spins in order to balance it correctly.

How to recognize a faulty driveshaft

Most of the components that make up the Cardan shaft are lubricated from the factory, but this lubrication may not be enough to support the movements made by the auto while driving, after a certain period.

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