Differential Service

Differential Service at Stanley Ford Sweetwater

When you take a slight turn with your vehicle, it should feel effortless. If you start to notice that your vehicle is having issues turning in general, or that it’s beginning to make strange noises, then it might be time to have your differential inspected. This part works closely with your engine so that each wheel can turn at just the right speed when you’re on the road. For a quick inspection, you can visit our service department at Stanley Ford Sweetwater.

What Is a Differential?

Every time you decide to take a turn, you’re counting on your wheels moving at different speeds. This might sound odd at first, but if they all turned at the same rate, your vehicle would instead move diagonally. It's your differential’s job to make sure that each wheel can revolve independently so that your turns feel effortless. For example, if you take a right turn, you can expect your left-side wheels to turn a lot faster than your right-side wheels, as they’re going to cover a bigger area. When your vehicle’s differential is working as it should, this isn’t something that you should have to think about often, but you may end up running into a few problems over the years. If you’re not satisfied with the handling of your vehicle and you’re looking to get it fixed, you can visit us at Stanley Ford Sweetwater.

What Does a Worn Differential Sound Like?

There are more than a few of your parts that can break down without anyone noticing. Luckily, your differential usually won’t go quietly. When it starts to run into issues, it should begin to make one or more of the sounds below.

• Sounds While Driving: You’re going to be able to hear most of these strange sounds while driving, as that’s when your differential is going to be hard at work. When you begin to accelerate, for example, you might be met with a howling sound. At higher speeds, this might turn to rumbling, and when you're decelerating, this could result in a whirring sound. You’ll want to pay special attention to your vehicle when you’re turning though, as you might hear a banging noise.
• Other Strange Sounds: Your vehicle might make a persistent clunking noise when your differential begins to wear down. If you begin to hear this sound and you live near Colorado City, Sweetwater, or San Angelo, you can visit us at Stanley Ford Sweetwater for an inspection.

When Should I Have My Differential Inspected?

If you’ve driven your model for years already, then you might begin to wonder why it’s only running into issues now. Like many of the other parts in your vehicle, your differential needs lubrication. This is known as differential fluid, and it protects the various gears and bearings from being worn over time. As you drive your vehicle though, you might begin to run low on this lubricant. Because of this, some drivers choose to incorporate differential service as part of their regular maintenance routine. If it’s been a while since you’ve had your differential inspected by a professional, and you’re starting to hear strange sounds, you can visit us at Stanley Ford Sweetwater. 

Your differential is a part that you’re going to want to keep an eye on. When you begin to hear strange sounds, you can schedule a service with our mechanics at Stanley Ford Sweetwater.