What Happens When Your Axle Breaks?

The answer to this question is relatively simple.  If your car shocks or struts are becoming worn, hitting a bump in the road could cause damage to the car axles.  It could even cause them to break. Because axles are constantly rotating and flexing to accommodate different road conditions, they can wear out and fail.  

Axles are involved in the steering, driving, and braking of the vehicle, linking the power from the engine to the tires, plus carrying the whole weight of the vehicle and its parts.  The performance of your vehicle's wheels and suspension system is essentially dependent on the condition of the axles.  If an axle is bad, it puts extra stress on the shocks or struts, causing them to wear out prematurely. Bad axles can also result in excessive wear on your tires. 

Even though most people don’t keep a vehicle long enough for a car axle to break, it’s still good to know what happens when your axle breaks.  Here are several fairly obvious signs:

• A sudden clanking sound heard when you put your vehicle into gear
• Feel vibrations in the car when driving, braking, or going around a bend.
• Power is not being transmitted from the engine to the wheels.

You may also be wondering what causes a broken axle:

• Overload. When there is too much load, such as too much cargo or too many passengers, the axles may not have enough strength to hold the wheels in place.
• Metal fatigue. As cars age, the axles become more brittle and/or corroded, thereby reducing the strength of the axles.
• Off-Road conditions.  Again, because axles carry the weight of the vehicle, excessive stress and force caused by bumps in the road can cause axles to break.

So that your vehicle will keep performing as it should, schedule regular inspection of the suspension system to make sure it is in good shape, especially the axles and shocks or struts.

What happens when your axle breaks?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information suspension systems and to make an appointment to check the axles and shocks or struts.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

Why Vehicle Maintenance is Important for Fall?

With summer almost behind us and cooler days on the way, it’s time to start thinking about getting your car ready for fall. Here are several easy car maintenance tips that will help keep your vehicle in tip-top condition so that you are driving as safe and relaxed as possible:  

• Car Battery – Fall is a good time to check your car battery, making sure the cables and terminals are tight for good contact. If you are going to store your vehicle for an extended period of time, you may want to invest in a trickle charger. 
• Headlights – As cars age, the headlights can become cloudy, especially if you routinely park outside. Cloudy lenses compromise your night vision and reduce the effectiveness of your headlights by up to 80 percent.  Headlight restoration kits are available for very little cost.
• Tires – Proper maintenance and responsible driving can enhance the number of miles you will get out of a set of tires. Monthly tread inspections are important. If you notice that your tires have less than 1/8-inch of tread left, it’s time for new tires.  All-season tires provide well-rounded performance and may be enough for your climate.  If you live in a snowy climate, snow/winter tires may be what you want.  
• Wash and Wax – Wash your car to clean off summer’s dead bugs, bird droppings, and tree sap.  You can then wax it as it will help keep your car’s finish looking new, although waxing may want to be done about every 2 or 3 months.
• Windshield Wipers – If your wipers are leaving streaks of water on your windshield, then it’s time to replace them—or clean them. Wipers deteriorate quickly and usually want to be replaced every 6 to 12 months. 
• Potential issues – Pay attention to signs of potential issues, such as vibrations or uneven noise, or if your car starts to “drift” to the side of the road.  Inform your auto mechanic of your observations so that they can be checked out and fixed to prevent small issues from turning into big issues.   

Need to know more about why vehicle maintenance is important for fall?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about the recommended car maintenance schedule and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.