Making the most of your 4×4 can involve a bit of rough and tumble, especially if you enjoy off-roading. If this is the case, then you’re probably aware that you’ll need to repair or replace your propshaft or universal joints at some point.
But as with everything, knowledge is power. So here are a few handy tips to ensure that you have many more road trips on the cards!
Maintenance
Looking after your propshaft will allow you to make the most of your vehicle for the duration that you have it. You can do this by regularly greasing it through all of the greasing points.
Over time, you may also find that centre bearings can become noisy or even split. If this does happen, then DriveLine offer to repair and replace it for a reasonable price – so you don’t have to worry about if things go wrong.
You should also check the angle that your propshaft is operating – it should ideally be between 2 and 3 degrees.
Finally, you need to make sure that the tube diameter is suited for your propshaft length. A good rule of thumb is that the longer your propshaft is, the larger the diameter needs to be.
Double Joint Propshaft
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily need a double joint propshaft for an extreme angle. It’s only needed when the flanges aren’t parallel, so you could save yourself some money by installing the right kind for your vehicle.
The Jargon
As with anything, knowing the layman terms will make navigating your way around a topic a lot easier. When it comes to propshafts, there’s an array of terminology to sift through, so whether you want to impress your friends or just know what it is you need to look after your vehicle properly, knowing your spline from your flange will enhance your experience.
The flange is the propshaft component that bolts to the vehicle, the spline is the internal sliding teeth that allow the propshaft to extend, and the grease nipple is the lubricating point on a propshaft.
Here at DriveLine, we’re propshaft repair and maintenance experts, so we want to make sure that you’re able to get the most from your car! We hope that these facts about propshafts will make your off-roading even more enjoyable.
If you do encounter a problem with your propshaft or centre bearings, then please don’t hesitate to contact us to find out how we can help. You can call us on 01524 382262 to speak to a member of our expert team about any queries you have!
