Driveshafts transfer torque from the transmission to the axle of your car. It's a vital component that serves a critical role. If you are trying to determine if you need driveshaft repair, you need to understand the most common signs of problems. Left unaddressed, driveshaft issues can damage your transmission and may lead to an accident. Here are some common signs that you need to watch out for.

Vibration 

When you feel a vibration that's not only in the steering wheel or the gas pedal but throughout the car, and that vibration worsens the faster you go, that's a key indication that your driveshaft is binding or there's a loose connection. You will want to have the driveshaft inspected and addressed by an auto repair technician if this is the case so that you don't experience any severe issues.

Clunks

If you put the car under acceleration, either forward or reverse, and you hear clunking sounds, that may be originating from the driveshaft. This is particularly true if you're noticing what seems like rhythmic, loud clunks coming from the center point underneath the car. That's often where the driveshaft runs, and the sound will originate from there.

Resistance When Turning

If you turn the steering wheel and the car doesn't seem to respond quickly, or the wheel feels stiff and turns hard, those are signs that your driveshaft isn't functioning the way that it is supposed to. You'll need to reach out to an auto repair technician to address it and keep it from binding up or wobbling.

Loose Joint Connections

The u-joints that connect the driveshaft to the transmission can become too loose and may shift. Unfortunately, this causes the driveshaft to wiggle and twist in place when it should be fixed. If you can grasp and move the driveshaft back and forth, you'll need to talk with an auto repair technician to address it.

When you have any reason to suspect a driveshaft problem with your car, it is important that you don't drive it. Instead, reach out to a local auto repair technician to have the car towed and inspect the problem. This is important because any further driving with a damaged driveshaft can worsen the issue and leave you facing a potential accident on the road. Reach out to a local auto repair technician for more information about your car's driveshaft issues so that you can get the repair completed as soon as possible.

Contact a service to learn more about driveshaft repair.