Detailed Discussion on the Damage of the Drive Shaft Center Support
Source: Bearing Network | Time: 2013-01-16
When a vehicle is in motion, if you hear a low, continuous "whirring" sound that gets louder as the speed increases, it could be an indication of damage to the center support of the drive shaft. This kind of noise usually signals a problem with the central part of the drive shaft. Additionally, if you hear a "clattering" sound when starting the car and feel vibrations, it might be due to a loose or missing center support bolt — in such cases, immediate repair is necessary. To check for issues, park the vehicle on a flat surface, put it in neutral, and manually rotate the drive shaft. If there is excessive resistance, inspect the tightness of the central support bolts and the alignment of the bearing. If the drive shaft feels loose, examine the hanger bearing and rubber sleeve. If the bearings are dry, apply lubricating grease. If the rubber sleeve is damaged, replace it promptly. The main causes of damage to the center support include: 1. Lack of proper lubrication leading to bearing wear. 2. Manufacturing defects in the bearing assembly, such as misalignment. 3. Loose or improperly tightened fixing bolts. 4. A bent or deformed drive shaft causing imbalance and vibration. 5. A loose flange at the transmission end, leading to damage of the hanger. 6. Poor quality of the rubber sleeve or deficiencies in the central support's structure. To properly install the center support, first mount it in place and tighten the threaded bolts to a certain extent without over-tightening. Ensure the drive shaft moves smoothly without jamming, and the resistance should not be too high. When checking alignment, use padding under the middle and rear wheels, engage the low gear, and manually rotate the drive shaft. After alignment, tighten the bolts with the recommended torque. If the drive shaft is bent or deformed, disassemble it, straighten it, and check its balance. During operation, regularly inspect the center support bearing and ensure all fastenings are secure. If the support plate is cracked, replace the entire assembly. Regarding the wear of the universal joint cross shaft and its remedies: One of the main problems with the drive shaft joint is the wear between the journal and the bearing, which can lead to deformation of the journal. If the axis centers are not aligned, this may cause vibration and abnormal behavior during operation. The clearance between the cross shaft journal and the bearing should not exceed 0.02 to 0.13 mm, ideally around 0.01 mm. If it exceeds 0.13 mm, vibration and noise will occur. If the cross shaft journal develops grooves, especially deep ones, it should be repaired or replaced. If repaired by welding and re-machining, heat treatment and grinding are required. After processing, the out-of-roundness of each journal should not exceed 0.01 mm, and the taper must be minimal (not more than 0.01 mm over 20 mm). It’s essential to ensure the straightness of adjacent axes and that the journal axes lie in the same plane after repair. During operation, the direction of torque transmission remains consistent, causing one side of the cross shaft to wear over time. This leads to grooves and squeaking sounds. To extend the life of the cross shaft, it can be rotated 90 degrees from its original position. When assembling, make sure the nozzle faces the drive shaft, and the universal joint fork is correctly positioned. There should be no axial gap or sticking. In regular maintenance, always apply smooth grease to prevent premature wear of the cross shaft journals and bearings.
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