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Prevent Drive Shaft Damage With a Curb Ramp
Do you have:
- An older rear wheel drive vehicle with a driveshaft?
- A vehicle with low ground clearance?
- A rolled curb?
If your answer to all these questions is “yes,” then you’ll likely deal with driveshaft damage sooner or later. The driveshaft sits pretty low underneath the chassis. That means when you drive over a rolled curb, there’s a chance the curb will hit the driveshaft.
Newer cars have driveshafts too, but they’re better protected. Driveshafts on older cars are more exposed. So if your car has an exposed driveshaft, beware of rolled curbs.
What Is A Driveshaft?
You would find a driveshaft on rear wheel drive cars with low ground clearance, such as:
- Older American sedans
- Classic cars
- Hot rods
A driveshaft is a long metal tube that’s about 3 or 4 inches thick. It runs under the middle of your car. The driveshaft exists to connect the transmission (at the front end of the car) to the differential (at the back of the car). This powers the wheels.
What Happens When A Rolled Curb Hits The Driveshaft?
When you have a rolled curb, it can hit your driveshaft when you drive over it. Whether your driveshaft comes in contact with a rolled curb on a regular basis or hits it even once, one of these things can happen:
- The impact scrapes the driveshaft
- The impact dents the driveshaft
- The impact (if hard and fast enough) damages a u-joint or slip joint, or bends the driveshaft
Dented Driveshaft
When you have a dented driveshaft, it can be thrown out of balance. Considering that it spins up to about 3000 rpm, being in balance is important. An out of balance driveshaft will cause vibrations that can damage:
- Differential pinion seal and bearings
- Transmission output shaft seal and bearings
- U-joints
Damaged U-Joint or Slip Joint
If either of these joints are damaged, you will first feel a vibration at higher speeds. If a u-joint problem is ignored long enough, it can fail completely, and the end of the driveshaft can come free. This can cause major damage under the car.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A Driveshaft?
It depends on:
- How much your shop or dealership will charge for labor
- The extent of the damage
If the driveshaft is the only part that’s damaged, then you could pay as little as $300 to repair it. If other parts are damaged too, then you’re looking at a repair bill that could be as high as $2K.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Driveshaft?
If you have an irreparable driveshaft, then you have to replace it. The cost depends on the kind of car you have. A replacement driveshaft can cost you between $500 and $2K. And then there’s labor. The amount of time it will take to replace a driveshaft depends on:
- The kind of car you have
- How difficult the job will be
It can take as little as 1 hour or as long as 2 hours. That means you may need to pay up to $200 for labor only.
A Curb Ramp Is The Best Way To Avoid This Problem
You can keep your car and rolled curb if you get a curb ramp. A curb ramp serves as a bridge between the driveway and the road. It eases your car over the rolled curb and removes the chances of it hitting your driveshaft.
BRIDJIT is the best brand on the market for rolled curbs. A BRIDJIT curb ramp:
- Is made from recycled rubber, which makes it practically a zero waste solution
- Comes with a waterway underneath, which allows water to flow underneath
- Is heavy enough to stay put but easy enough to move if necessary
- Is easy to install
- Comes with many more benefits
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