Things To Look For If You Suspect a Driveshaft Support Failure in Your Porsche

There are a number of signs that are indicative of a drive shaft support failure in a Porsche. If your driveshaft support has become compromised, you will likely need to replace it. A driveshaft support will deteriorate over time, and if a replacement is not completed, this could cause the failure of the entire driveshaft itself. This article will serve to illustrate possible symptoms of a driveshaft support failure, common causes, as well as when it may be time to visit your local repair shop.

Symptoms of Driveshaft Support Failure

Your vehicle’s driveshaft is essentially a long tube that is responsible for forward propulsion. It creates forward movement by converting the energy generated by the engine into power to propel the wheels. The driveshaft center support is a metal and rubber bearing. It holds and stabilizes your driveshaft in place and also connects the two major portions of the drivetrain.

Generally, when you are experiencing problems with your driveshaft, this is a sign of problems with the support mount. Some symptoms associated with a bad driveshaft include:

• Loud Noises: The bearing that holds your driveshaft in place is made up of an outer metal U-shaped bearing and an inner rubber donut. When the rubber component of the driveshaft support breaks down, it can cause the driveshaft to wobble and bounce back and forth within the bearing. This will usually cause some noticeable sounds coming from under your vehicle.
• Screeching or Whining: A slightly worn out U-joint may cause a persistent squeaking or whining noise from under your vehicle. You may be able to resolve the issue with a bit of lubricant, but it does not hurt to bring your Porsche to the repair shop for a quick check. If your worn down U-joint becomes worse it will cause more significant problems.
• Difficulty Turning: The driveshaft plays a major role in the control of your vehicle. If your Porsche’s U-joint is compromised, it may make it difficult for you to make turns and control your vehicle.
• Shaking During Acceleration: In serious cases of damage to the driveshaft center support, the driveshaft will begin to bend and shake as a result. Typically, this shaking will be most pronounced when you begin accelerating from a full stop. This problem could become so bad that your drivetrain can make contact with the ground or with the underside of your vehicle. This can cause extensive damage and an expensive repair bill.

Causes of Driveshaft Support Failure

Over time, general wear and tear can cause driveshaft joints and support to deteriorate which may further any existing issues with the driveshaft itself. Other causes include existing issues with your driveshaft support as well as tire problems. These can cause excessive vibration under your vehicle. This vibration can serve to exacerbate the damage of your driveshaft support as well as other drivetrain components.

Your Porsche is a high-performance vehicle and requires a high degree of maintenance to ensure that everything is working properly. If you have not had a tuneup in a while, multiple worn out parts and failures could be the cause of trouble with your driveshaft support.

Germany’s Best Inc. Has You Covered

If your driveshaft support is damaged, you should bring your Porsche to Germany’s Best, Inc. We have been providing expert German auto repairs and services to our customers throughout California. We are based in Oakland, CA and have locations in Berkeley, Emeryville, and Piedmont.

Our team is composed of ASE-certified master technicians with over 15 years of experience and expertise with the most popular German brands including Porsche. When you use our services and allow us to maintain your car, you are prolonging your Porsche’s overall performance and durability.

To continue to provide the quality service necessary to keep your Porsche running flawlessly, we do all of our work in house and are able to offer affordable repairs and service as a result. We are interested in a long term working relationship with our customers. Call us today or come by our shop to talk with one of our experienced technicians. We look forward to meeting you and establishing a routine maintenance program for your car.

* Porsche Car image credit goes to: MikeMareen.