Complete Car Maintenance: Drive Train, CV Shafts & Boots

The constant velocity (CV) shaft, boot and joints are used on front wheel-drive and many four wheel-drive vehicles.

Maintenance and Care:

CV boots should be inspected with every oil change and are inspected as part of AAMCO’s ProtectCheck. CV boots can be torn or cracked over time, allowing dirt into the joint. Unless discovered quickly, both the boot and joint will need replacement. In this case, a replacement axle may be the best option.

Signs of a bad CV joint include a clicking noise while turning, or a shudder or clunk. Go to the experts at AAMCO if you are experiencing any of these problems, before the problem gets worse.

Complete Car Maintenance: Drive Train, Transfer Case

The transfer case is attached to the transmission and connects to both the front and rear axles on a four-wheel drive vehicle.

Maintenance and Care:

The transfer case should be checked at every oil change for adequate lubrication. Many transfer cases require periodic changes of oil or fluid—a service available from your local AAMCO center. Please refer to your owner’s manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific vehicle.

Transfer case problems include complete loss of four-wheel drive operation and the inability to switch between modes. AAMCO center technicians are experts in the service and repair of transfer cases and four wheel drive vehicles

Complete Car Maintenance: Drive Train, Differentials & Axles

An axle connects the two wheels on opposite sides of the vehicle. The differential is gears and bearings either inside the transmission or the housing of the axle.

Maintenance and Care:

The differential lube level should be checked with every oil change. Some differentials require periodic cleaning and repacking of wheel bearings. If you drive an SUV or light truck, and especially if you pull a boat (meaning these components may get submerged in water), axle lube should be changed every year. Please refer to your owner’s manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific vehicle.
AAMCO center technicians are experts in differentials and axles. Differential problems should be checked out as soon as possible. Symptoms include clunking when you accelerate or shift between drive and reverse, or a high-pitched howling type of noise.

Complete Car Maintenance: Drive Train, Drive Shaft & U-Joints

A drive shaft and universal joints (U-joints) connect the transmission to the rear axle on most rear wheel drive vehicles. Four wheel drives also use drive shafts and U-joints.

Maintenance and Care:

U-joints should be inspected at every oil change (and are inspected as part of AAMCO’s ProtectCheck). SUVs and light trucks often have drive shaft slip joints that require lubrication. Please refer to your owner’s manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific vehicle.

Bad U-joints often squeak when accelerating from a stop, exhibit a clunking noise when shifting between drive and reverse, or a shuddering when accelerating or driving. Bad U-joints can cause the drive shaft to separate from the vehicle—causing damage to the vehicle and requiring potentially expensive repairs. Bring your vehicle to the experts at AAMCO if you notice any of these symptoms

Complete Car Maintenance: Drive Train, Bearings

Bearings in the wheels are about the only bearings requiring routine maintenance, common in rear wheel drive vehicles.

Maintenance and Care:

These bearings should be cleaned, inspected and repacked with grease about every two years or 24,000 miles. Please refer to your owner’s manual for factory recommended maintenance intervals for your specific vehicle.

Metal-to-metal noise in the wheels, or steering that veers in one direction or the other, are typical symptoms of a malfunctioning wheel bearing. Bring your vehicle to the experts at AAMCO if you notice either of these symptoms.