Warning Signs of a Failed Differential
Modern cars are now made with computerized differentials. Of course, nothing is full proof. As sophisticated as these modern differentials can be, errors can make operation considerably less smooth. In today’s automobile, a check engine light is often one of the first telltale signs that your car is having trouble.
You might also notice some strange sounds or vibrations when something goes awry with your vehicle’s differential. In other situations, your differential might vibrate gears in unpredictable ways, resulting in uneven speeds and inconsistencies while driving.
A bad differential can sound in different ways. You may experience a whine to a rumble, or loud clanks when going from sitting still to moving. Another sure sign it’s differential is if the symptoms get worse when coasting compared with when accelerating. The noise generally comes from the rear, but it can be hard to locate for sure depending on the volume level.
While some of these problems might seem negligible in the moment, ignoring such issues could make the situation worse, decreasing the life of your differential over time and increasing the costs of differential repair.