Thomas Auto Service Tech Question on Your Drive Shaft

Question

I’m Doug. A few years ago, I was driving my ’85 powder blue Dodge Ram Charger with about 80,000 miles on it. I was going up a hill and heard a noise like a tin can rolling down the road. I looked back and saw my drive shaft bouncing down the hill. I put it in four-wheel drive and drove to my mechanic to get it fixed.

What could I have done to prevent that?

Answer

Now that’s quite a story. Doug was fortunate that his vehicle had a part-time four-wheel drive system that would let him get home without a rear drive shaft.

This case of “the missing drive shaft” highlights the need for regular inspections. Now we’re all familiar with recommendations for preventive maintenance services like oil changes and coolant replacement. What you may not know is that there are also recommendations for inspections at various intervals.

By the time a vehicle gets 80,000 miles on it like Doug had, the owner’s manual would have called for inspections of things like the suspension, brakes – and the drive line. Chances are that such an inspection would have revealed early signs of a worn u-joint and Doug could have had it fixed before his drive shaft went rattling down the road.

Ask your service advisor about the inspections your vehicle should have.

Give us a call

Thomas Auto Service
325 West Main Street
Sevierville, Tennessee 37862
865-429-2110