How Do You Remove A Rear Differential Drive Shaft?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Using

a plastic hammer gently shock the driveshaft loose

from the differential flange by striking the rear yoke (U joint mount). At this point the back half of the shaft will be free so hang onto it. On some cars there will be a center support which must be undone by removing the two center support mounting bolts.

How do you remove a rear end 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 do you remove a half shaft on a differential?

A half shaft is essentially a

drive axle

that spans roughly half the car, from the wheel to the transaxle or differential. These are equipped with Constant Velocity, or CV, joints.

Can I drive my 4×4 without the rear 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. This will allow the transfer box to transfer power to the front or rear driveshaft.

How long does it take to remove 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.

Where does the half shaft go?

They run from

the transaxle in the middle of the car to the right and left front wheels

. These axles are called “half shafts,” because each of them spans half the width of the car.

How do you know if you have a bad axle shaft?

1.

Loud clicking noises

when turning. One of the most common and most noticeable symptoms of a bad or failing CV axle shaft assembly is an audible clicking noise when turning. When CV axles become excessively worn, the joints will become loose and click when turning.

How much does it cost to replace a rear differential?

A typical rear differential repair costs anywhere

between $200 and $400

. These typical repairs would include your bearing, seals, and fluid changes. Of course, when a gear change is required, that’s when things get pricey. $1,500 is just the minimum you can expect to pay for new gears.

What happens if rear differential goes out?

Depending on the vehicle and the issue the rear differential has, what happens when the rear differential goes out while driving varies in severity. If you have broken gear teeth or badly chipped teeth then you

will experience a soft of “skip” in power or vibration that increases with speed

.

Can you drive a car without the rear drive shaft?

Yes,

you can if you remove the rear driveshaft

. Basically you’d be in front wheel drive mode. Assuming you mean the u-bolt on the rear of the driveshaft It’s not going to hurt anything.

When should you replace driveshaft?

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.

Is a drive shaft expensive to replace?

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, then expect to pay somewhere in the range of $600 to $2,000.

What causes drive shaft failure?


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.

How do you test a drive shaft?

  • Vibrations 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.

How many half shafts does a car have?

It comes in

two halves

, known as half shafts, which are connected by the differential. In most cases, rear axles are live, meaning they rotate with the vehicle’s wheels.

How much does it cost to have a CV joint replaced?

A CV joint itself can cost between $95 and $210. Hiring a mechanic to perform a replacement

will be between $165 and $800

. The price mainly depends on whether you’re replacing a double or single axle.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.