Driveline Service

Driveline Service at Stanley Ford Sweetwater

If you think about your engine, you know that it needs a lot of service and upkeep to keep going. While other systems like your driveline might be able to go for longer without maintenance, it’s important to note that you’ll still want to have it inspected on a regular basis. When it’s been a while since your last service and you’re near Abilene, Sweetwater, or Roscoe, you’ll want to check your driveline system at Stanley Ford Sweetwater.

Understanding the Driveline

Engines are somewhat easy to understand on a surface level. You put gasoline or diesel in, and they convert it into horsepower and torque. When it comes to where that power goes though, is where things get a bit more complicated. Your driveline is a collection of parts that mainly deal with the power that your engine makes. It’s important to note that these pieces don’t create power. Instead, they simply redirect your engine’s output to your tires. This gives you the performance that you’re used to. Your driveline may also be referred to as your drivetrain, so if you hear this term being thrown around, it’s important to know that the mechanic is referring to the exact same system. Since there are so many parts working together, you may run into a myriad of problems when something begins to go wrong. If this happens, you’ll want to seek out service as soon as possible. 

Symptoms to Look For

Since there are so many different parts in your drivetrain, a lot can go wrong. While there are a lot of symptoms that you might notice, these are generally the most common.

• You Feel an Odd Resistance: If your model feels like it’s refusing to take tight turns, you likely have a problem with your driveline. This isn’t normal, as your model should feel smooth to drive.
• Odd Sounds and Bad Handling: When your driveline is working properly, you’ll have silky-smooth performance. When it’s in trouble though, you might notice that your model vibrates or that there are strange sounds. This may get worse as you speed up.
• Leaks, Dents, and More: When you’re viewing the underside of your vehicle, rust is obviously a very bad sign. You might also notice that your model has a leak. This can directly impact multiple systems in your model, so you’ll need an inspection.

Solving the Issue

When you’re trying to make sure that your model is fixed, you’ll want to head to Stanley Ford Sweetwater, where our mechanics can easily repair:

• The Differentials: This part needs a steady supply of fluid, as when it gets too low, it can break from the lack of lubrication and metal-on-metal contact. If you drive a vehicle with four-wheel drive, it’s important to note that you likely have three separate differentials.
• The Driveshaft: While your differentials and transmission work closely together, they can’t function without your driveshaft. This is essentially the part that links them together in rear-wheel drive vehicles, which is why you’ll want to make sure that it’s in good shape.
• The Transfer Case: You may have heard this term before if you drive a 4x4 model. This is the nickname for your center differential, and it’s responsible for directing power to both your front and rear wheels. You’ll want to have this piece checked every 30,000 to 70,000 miles for optimal performance.