Troubleshooting Drive Shafts (Renault 19)

Drive shafts usually do not cause serious problems. Their service life depends significantly on the driving style. Starting from a standstill at full throttle with the front wheels turned or accelerating with the drive wheels slipping lead to premature failure of the drive shafts. The drive shaft joints often suddenly show all the signs of malfunction, which sometimes disappear completely. This phase of deceptive calm can last quite a long time.

• Characteristic are rhythmic noises of impacts or crunching when pressing the accelerator pedal and when driving under tension. If the sound changes depending on the turn of the steering wheel, then most likely the joint on the wheel side is faulty.
• Vibration and shaking of the steering wheel when the wheels are turned also indicate a damaged outer joint.
• A crunching sound when starting off with the wheels turned does not necessarily indicate a faulty drive shaft. It could be caused by a wheel bearing, see chapter Suspension and steering.