Service Advice
Jacksonville & St. Mary's Drivetrain Repair & Maintenance
CV Shafts & Boots
The constant velocity (CV) shaft, boot and joints are used on front wheel-drive and many four wheel-drive automobiles.
Maintenance and automobile:
CV boots should be inspected by a Jacksonville& St. Mary’s AAMCO mechanic with every oil change and are inspected as part of Jacksonville& St. Mary’s 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 mechanics at Jacksonville& St. Mary’s AAMCO if you are experiencing any of these problems before the problem gets worse.
Transfer Case
Differentials & Axles
Drive Shaft & U-Joints
A drive shaft and universal joints (U-joints) connect the transmission to the rear axle on most rear wheel drive automobiles. Four-wheel drives also use drive shafts and U-joints.
Maintenance and automobile:
U-joints should be inspected by a Jacksonville & St. Mary’s AAMCO mechanic at every oil change (and are inspected as part of Jacksonville & St. Mary’s 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 automobile.
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 automobile—causing damage to the automobile and requiring potentially expensive repairs. Bring your automobile to the mechanics at Jacksonville & St. Mary’s AAMCO if you notice any of these symptoms.
Bearings
Bearings in the wheels are about the only bearings requiring routine maintenance, common in rear wheel drive automobiles.
Maintenance and automobile:
These bearings should be cleaned, inspected, and repacked by a Jacksonville AAMCO mechanic 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 automobile.
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 automobile to the mechanics at Jacksonville & St. Mary’s AAMCO if you notice either of these symptoms.