Axles are essential to the basic operation of a vehicle. A fan belt keeps your engine running cool, and oil protects the parts within your engine from wear and tear, but an axle is completely essential for a vehicle to move at all. The axle’s main purpose is to translate the engine's power into the tires to create motion. In addition, axles provide basic structure for the base of your vehicle. Because they are so important, they are built sturdy. And yet, axles can break. If your car's axle breaks while you drive or when you are parked, you will need a tow in Oakland because your vehicle will be inoperable. Instead of fearing the worst, though, you should be attentive to your vehicle. Towing experts have collected 4 surefire ways to determine if your axle is in danger of breaking while you drive. You Have Subjected It to Damage Axles bear a great deal of the force from under your vehicle. An axle can break if one of the following happens: - You drive over a very bad bump, such as a high curb
- You drive through a deep pothole
- You overload your vehicle with too much cargo
Your Vehicle Makes Clunky Sounds A good way to gauge the state of your car is to listen to it. Is it running smoothly, or is it noisy? If an axle has been damaged, you will likely hear loud, clunky noises when you shift into gear. It may even make a grinding noise. The reason a damaged axle creates these noises is that it is unable to properly relay power from the transmission system to the wheels. Instead, the power will remain within the axle, stressing it to the point of breaking. Your Vehicle Vibrates Another good way to gauge the health of your vehicle is to pay attention to the smoothness of your drive. Does your vehicle vibrate while you drive? Does the drive feel bumpier than usual all of a sudden? Do the tires feel like they are wobbling? If so, your axle may be in danger of breaking. Your Car Does Not Move A broken axle can be subtler than you would expect. Many people assume that a broken axle will snap clean in half or fall out of the vehicle. If you have ever seen a vehicle on the side of the road that is completely crooked, with one end practically touching the ground, then it certainly has a broken axle. But if your axle breaks, the effects may not always be so dramatic. If your axle has broken or snapped at the universal joint, it will remain in place, but your vehicle will be incapable of moving when you shift into gear. If you notice any of the 4 above signs in your vehicle, have your vehicle serviced right away. Acting fast prevents you from being stranded with an unusable vehicle. However, if your axle does break and you need a tow near Oakland, expert towing services can be there to get you out of trouble, get your vehicle to a service center, and get you back home. Ideally, though, you should do your part to prevent this from happening.
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