Warning Signs of a Failed Differential
Modern cars are now made with computerized differentials. Although these modern differentials are sophisticated, errors can occur making 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.
When something goes awry with your vehicle’s differential you might notice strange sounds or vibrations. In other situations, your differential might vibrate gears in unpredictable ways, resulting in uneven speeds and inconsistencies while driving.
A differential can produce an abnormal sound depending on the issue. You may experience a whine, rumble, or loud clanks when going from sitting still to moving. Another sign of a failed differential is if the symptoms get worse when coasting compared to when accelerating. The noise generally comes from the rear, but volume level may make the location difficult to determine.
While some of these problems might seem negligible in the moment ignoring such issues could make the situation worse, resulting in a decreased life span of your differential and an increase in cost of repair.
