Differential Repairs in Tyne and Wear

The differential is a set of gears that splits drive between the two wheels on an axle. Without it, the inside wheel would scrub and skip through every bend. On a rear-wheel-drive car it sits in a housing on the rear axle. On most front-wheel-drive cars it is built into the gearbox casing, so a differential fault can look like a gearbox fault.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we repair differentials as part of our gearbox and transmission work.

Signs the differential is wearing

Differential trouble tends to build gradually. A noise that is faint at first becomes obvious over a few weeks, and it often changes with speed or with whether you are accelerating or lifting off.

• A whine or howl from the rear or front axle that rises and falls with road speed
• A clunk or bang when taking up drive or changing between accelerating and braking
• Grinding or rumbling on tight turns, such as in a car park
• Oil weeping from the axle housing or from a seal near a driveshaft
• Vibration under load that does not match wheel or tyre faults

What the repair involves

We start by road testing and inspecting, checking the oil level and condition, and looking for leaks. Worn wheel bearings and driveshaft joints can sound very similar, so these are ruled out first. If the differential itself is at fault, it usually has to be removed or split to be inspected properly.

Depending on what we find, the work can be as simple as replacing a leaking seal and refilling with the correct oil, or as involved as replacing bearings, setting up gear mesh and renewing worn components. Some units are better replaced whole, and we cannot promise a repair is possible until we have seen inside.

What affects the outcome

The biggest factor is how long the fault has been running. A seal dealt with early is a smaller job than a unit that has run low on oil until the gears are damaged.

The type of car matters too. A separate rear axle on a rear-wheel-drive car is often more straightforward to deal with than a differential inside a gearbox casing. We explain the options and the likely work at the estimate.

Looking after the differential

Differential oil is easy to forget because it is not on most service schedules in the way engine oil is. Check what your manufacturer recommends and ask us if you are unsure.

If you hear a new noise from the axle, do not wait for it to go quiet on its own. A grinding noise or a loud bang means the car should be looked at before further driving, as a failed unit can lock a wheel or leave you stranded.