Axles are essential components of your truck. The axle is a rod or shaft that rotates the wheels and supports your vehicle’s weight. Every vehicle needs axles in order to operate properly because the axles conduct the power that provides momentum in order for the wheels to turn. There are many things that can cause strain on your truck’s axle, such as clocking many kilometres, dealing with potholes and poor road conditions, and hauling heavy loads. Your axle should be monitored for misalignment and straightened from time to time in order to ensure that your vehicle is operating as efficiently as possible.
How can you tell if your truck’s axle is damaged or misaligned?
There are quite a few signs that your pickup or SUV’s axle is broken or misaligned. Some of these indicators can be small and easy to miss or ignore, but if you are able to identify them early you can get your truck in for service and prevent more costly breakdowns.
Common signs of a damaged truck axle:
- Wobbly wheels
- Steering less responsive and not level while driving
- The steering wheel is slow to return to centre after making a turn
- Vibrations in your wheel that increase at higher speeds
- Pulling to the left or right while driving
Can you drive with a bent axle?
There may be situations where you can drive for a brief period of time with a bent axle. If your axle is only slightly bent (less than a ¼ inch) you will experience vibrations and rough turning but it is not completely unsafe to drive if you are cautious. If left unattended for too long, the bent axle will damage hubs, CV joints, and bearings. Over time the vibrations and damage will increase so it is not recommended to ignore this if you think your axle might be damaged.
Not sure if your axle needs service? That’s where we come in. Foothills Group has a large automotive department located in Calgary, AB. so we can be sure to provide quality axle service. You can rely on our certified technicians to maintain your truck’s axle so that you can enjoy a smoother ride and your vehicle will have a longer lifespan.
