Are you worried that your vehicle's differential is failing? Your differential gives your car the ability to make turns at different rates. It provides better torque efficiency and handling. If you think your differential is damaged, you'll probably start experiencing a list of problems. If you ignore the problem, you'll end up creating damage to your drivetrain. If you think you may have problems with your differential, we've got you covered. In this article, we will go over the top symptoms that may lead to a failing differential.
Tire Damage
The treads of your car will give you clues about what's going on with your drivetrain. A common sign for differential damage is extreme wear towards the sidewalls of your tires. Uneven tread wear is also a common sign. If you see any premature signs of tire tread wear, make sure to consult with your automotive technician about the problem.
Gears Grinding
Although grinding gears could be a transmission issue, it is also a common tell-tale sign that your differential fails. Your differentials have a complex array of gears to make them function properly. If you hear grinding gears while driving, this could be a sign that you'll need some repairs.
Subpar Handling
One of the first things you'll notice when the differential is going out is poor handling. Your car will probably pull hard to the left or right. When accelerating, you might feel hesitation or sluggishness. These are signs you shouldn't ignore. If you experience poor handling, make sure to get your vehicle to the shop and get it looked at.
Fluid Leaks
The differential needs lubrication to function smoothly. The gear oil inside the differential helps with that lubrication. If there are problems, you may notice a leak coming from the area. A loss in gear oil will damage the internal components of the differential and cause more expensive problems. If you notice fluid looks, get your car to the shop immediately.
Whining Sounds and Vibrations
It's not a good sign if you start feeling vibrations and hearing your vehicle's abnormal noise. If the differential is wearing down, you'll usually begin hearing high-pitched whining, grinding noises, humming, or rattling. These noises and vibrations will be heard more prominently on left and right turns, or acceleration. Be sure to get your vehicle inspected if these symptoms start to occur.
Burning Smell From the Differential
A burning smell can be several issues, but it could be a sign of problems if you notice the smell coming from your differential. The burning smell comes from the gearbox overheating from bad or contaminated differential oil. You'll need to have the differential oil drained and replaced.
What Is the Next Step?
If you've gone over all of the symptoms we've discussed and you believe the differential is the problem, it's time to take things to the next step regarding your car's health. The experts at Alberta Transmission in Edmonton can help you with all your differential, transmission and drivetrain repairs. Call us today to for an estimate for your vehicle.