Questions tagged [drivetrain]
The group of components in a motor vehicle that generate power and deliver it to the road surface. These components can include the engine, transmission or transaxle, transfer case (if so equipped), drive line, and axles.
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Difference between FWD/RWD/4WD/Part-Time 4WD/AWD?
I'm curious as to what are the particular difference between the various drive systems available in modern vehicles. FWD and RWD are pretty straightforward - Front Wheel Drive cars put the power to ...
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What is the purpose of plastic engine covers?
I have a 2010 Toyota Corolla. What is the purpose of the large plastic cover that stretches over my valve cover? Does it have a particular function? Are they just for looks? Or are they designed by ...
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Is there a benefit to belt driven motorcycles?
What are the pros and cons of belt driven motorcycles compared to chain driven bikes?
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how to optimize fuel consumption by changing the rear differential ratio?
Is it possible to improve the fuel consumption (decrease it) in my van by changing the rear differential ratio? I would like to optimize it for low-speed driving about 40 km/h (25 mph).
Is it true ...
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How to diagnose high speed vibration?
I get a vibration at high speeds (50+), can feel it particularly in the steering wheel, front seats, dashboard. I have been trying to figure out what's going on, keeping in mind that:
All 4 shocks ...
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Does wheelspinning damage my car?
Apart from the tires, if I pull off quickly and I wheel spin, do I cause any damage to the internals of the car?
Obviously I don't mean reving it to 4k+ and then dumping the clutch, I mean speeding ...
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Grinding noise while driving
On my Opel/Holden Astra H (150KKm, front wheel drive, m32 6-speed manual transmission) I hear a slight grinding noise from the right-front, starting at about 40 km/h. The noise is synchronous to the ...
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Does 2WD mode save me gas over AWD(auto) mode?
My 2015 Nissan Pathfinder has a switch for 2WD, AWD (auto), and 4WD Lock.
Do I save gas by keeping it in 2WD? Or it doesn't matter because it's still the same drivetrain and it simply doesn't apply ...
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Car pulls to right when letting go of accelerator?
I'm driving an old Grand Voyager minivan temporarily, and notice that when I accelerate then let go of the accelerator, the car pulls slightly to the right, and I have to correct it by steering a ...
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1 Piece versus 2 Piece Drive Shaft
A guy on a Nissan forum asked why he should keep his 2 piece drive shaft in his truck instead of changing over to a 1 piece version.
This was the answer I gave him:
The 2 piece drive shaft (DS) is ...
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How to extend the life of the dual mass flywheel in a diesel engine?
I am looking for ways to improve the life of the dual mass flywheel (DMF) in my 2005 Ford Focus tdci. I have heard that they can wear out quite quickly on the Ford Focus if they are driven in city ...
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How to shorten a driveshaft?
How can I shorten a driveshaft?
Are there any warnings before proceeding?
What tools are required, and optimal?
Is there a "required" way to measure correctly?
How can I keep the metal square?
Is ...
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Can I improve fuel economy by changing differential’s gear ratio?
I would like to use my Lada Niva for normal road travel, but at 3500 rpm at 100 kph it is not very fuel efficient. I don’t know what the current differential ratio is, but I assume it has been changed ...
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does a car normally continue moving at a constant speed when in gear and the foot is taken off the accelerator pedal?
I remember when driving a passenger car, when I took my foot off the accelerator pedal completely, but remained in gear, the car would normally continue to move at some low speed, different for each ...
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What additional wear will occur on the drivetrain from running larger tires and not regearing?
This is probably best viewed as a general question, however specifically I'm talking about a 2004 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with an automatic transmission.
I have gone from stock 29 inch tires up to 33 ...
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What exactly is an outer CV joint and how can I replace one?
I recently got my 2004 VW Passat B5 a new MOT, but they said that an advisory item that would get worse over time were worn outer CV joints. The car creeks when turning on full left lock, though I ...
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Drivetrain sounds like rustling leaves above 4k RPMs
2011 Mazda6 FWD 2.5L I4 6-speed manual 85,000 miles
5-6k miles ago (2-3 months) I started to notice a "rustling" sound coming from the front of my drivetrain, but only when in gear above 4,000 RPMs. ...
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Why do open differentials drive the wheels on the ground when a vehicle drives on two?
In this youtube video, a Toyota FJ cruiser in Saudi Arabia drives up on two wheels while 5 people get out and remove the wheels on that side.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQm5BnhTBEQ
This turns ...
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Why is it that the front of the car lifts up when releasing the clutch?
I don't know much about the inner workings of a car. For driving one, I find that having an rough idea about what the gearbox, engine and clutch do and where they are is often enough.
However for the ...
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Pranged bearing bracket on main driveshaft: can I drive the car?
My son took my wife's all-wheel CR-V down a rough road and bent one of the suspension brackets for the central drive shaft. The car was still movable, but made grinding noises as he drove the last few ...
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Can I use a CNC machine or waterjet to make an adapter plate to adapt a 5 speed transmission to a rare, obsolete engine?
I am the sad, proud owner of a Nissan SD33T (Diesel), mated to a 4 speed T-19. The power this engine outputs (101HP, 160#/TQ stock) means it struggles on the highway, and I don't want to sacrifice my ...
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Using 4wd on snow/dry pavement bad for 2012 Pathfinder?
Just bought a 2012 Nissan Pathfinder LE. I live in Colorado where the weather can be pretty random and very location specific. This creates areas of the town where snow may be covered in some areas ...
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Fixing vibrations caused by replacing springs?
I am slowly restoring a 2000 Jeep Cherokee Sport with 97K miles to use as a winter/light towing vehicle.
I had some sag in my coil springs and leaf springs and the shocks were shot. So I had my ...
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2000 Chevrolet Silverado - Clicking Noise From Front Differential
I have recently noticed a clicking noise from the front differential on my 2000 Chevrolet Silverado when traveling at low speeds (under 10 MPH, but I'm sure it's always there, but it's too fast/too ...
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Wrangler JK transfer box options
Apologies for a very Jeep-centered question, that may not interest everybody. Here goes:
I own a 2009 Wrangler JKU (pre face-lift), equipped with the 2.8 TD engine, Chrysler NSG370 six-speed manual ...
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PTFE or standard high temp grease for a slip joint?
My 1997 Ford F-150, 4.6L with automatic, is suffering from the slip join "clunk" at stops/starts.
My research has found this is a common problem when the output shaft splines get dried out. It ...
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Identify that part of my S56 BMW M Coupe
There is a driveline component with a rubber shock absorption ring in it. It sits between the tranny and driveshaft.
I cannot remember the name of this component.
Does someone know the name of ...
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RWD vs FWD advantages and disadvantages
I want to know the advantages and disadvantages of rear wheel drive and front wheel drive cars
I know that cars with FWD can't drift. Are there any other advantages or disadvantages?
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Throw out bearing, input shaft bearing, or drive shaft support bearing?
I have a '94 BMW 318is manual transmission. I hear a grinding/whirring noise while driving that sounds to me like a bad bearing. I typically hear it when
I engage the clutch. The sounds is more ...
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Subaru clunking and whining - differential?
I have a 2002 Subaru Outback with a 5 speed manual and 160k miles on it. The previous owner claims to have replaced the front differential, because it was locked up.
Now, I have been hearing whining ...
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New engine and clutch, have weird vibration @3K RPM
I just replaced (well, had someone else replace) the engine in my 06 Solstice.
The engine runs great for the most part (will open a separate question about that), but there is a weird vibration at ...
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Different tread depths on 2wd?
I am sorry if this question has been asked before I tried searching. My 05 civic which is a fwd has one tire on the back with very low tread unlike the other tires mounted on the car, is this going to ...
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clutch makes noise and small vibration when disengaged
I recently bought a 1998 Kia Sportage. The previous owners said that the clutch was recently replaced, but I noticed after driving it for a while that when the engine speed is pretty high (around 4000-...
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Does it save wear on AWD drivetrain to shift to Neutral before going into Park or Reverse?
I have an old Subaru with All Wheel Drive. I can feel in some circumstances the larger and more complex drivetrain "winding and unwinding" all those differentials and CV joints. It feels unpleasant, ...
user15009
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02 Trailblazer with front end vibration which seems to increase over time
About a month ago my trailblazer developed this new features. When you get into the car and start driving, everything feels completely fine. Then after about 5 minutes you start noticing slight ...
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Vibration after the car has run for a while
First question here; go easy on me.
So I have an e30 BMW(1989), the car runs fine however when I have driven for a few minutes a vibration occurs when I travel around 60(kph)
This does not happen ...
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Vibration during Deceleration
I have a 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer CE, I recently replaced the clutch as the release bearing was no longer servicable.
After replacing the clutch I noticed during deceleration a vibration like noise. At ...
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2002 Subaru Legacy, Grinding Sound
Just got home from work and put my car into park and heard a grinding sound.
The parking brake stopped working. I tried putting it into drive and got the same grinding sound. It was as if something ...
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2004 Mazda 3 - clank when shifting into reverse
Every morning, or after the car has sat for a while, there is a loud clank from the engine area when I shift it into reverse. Sometimes I hear the same clank when shifting into drive, but not always.
...
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FWD vs RWD winter time [closed]
Background: All my life I drove FWD (Front Wheel Drive) cars. I drove FWD in different conditions with all-season tires and always got good and even predictable handling during winter periods. In ...
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Speed difference between rear wheel and front wheel drive
Hypothetically if we have two almost identical cars with identical attributes (horse power, engine size, weight, etc.) , but one of them is front wheel drive and the other is rear wheel drive. My ...
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2009 Ford Focus SE, Vibration returning after replacing Engine Mount
Like the title says, my car is a '09 Ford Focus SE, with an automatic transmission.
Last year it started developing a vibration. Between two jobs and school, I just didn't have time to get it looked ...
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Rubbing noise when driving with clutch engaged?
I am a complete newbie when it comes to jeeps (and cars in general). However, I am very good at fixing things... once I know what the problem is.
After a summer of riding with the top down I was used ...
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Powertrain vs Drivetrain vs Driveline
I did a bit of research and I'm really confused.
Need a clear distinction between all three.
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Buying a 1981 Kawasaki 440 D questions
There is a 1981 Kawasaki 440 D that is belt driven on Craigslist for $850 and I just have a few questions on about it being a belt drive. Is a belt drive ok to have? Is it worse than chain drive? And ...
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2003 Dodge Durango - Can I take the front drive shaft off and drive the vehicle?
I most likely have a messed up front differential on my 4x4.
I was wondering if I can just take my drive shaft off and run it on RWD only?
Can I just remove the universal joint pin and retain the ...
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2003 Ford Ranger Drivetrain Noise while Coasting
Me: 2003 Ford Ranger XLT, Automatic Transmission, 4.0L V6, 4x4, 180k miles. I do my own vehicle maintenance (brakes / suspension / ...), but am not a mechanic by any stretch.
The Issue
When ...
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Thumping/vibration linked with wheel rotation
I have a 1999 Mercedes C class with a wheel vibration. Its a pulsing kind of like tapping your finger on a table or driving over grooved roads. Its linked to vehicle speed and is apparent from really ...
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What could cause a clicking/popping noise when driving straight? (video)
Car is automatic front wheel drive Toyota.
The sound comes on light-medium acceleration from speeds 15-35mph even when driving straight and it sounds just like a bad CV joint. In the video I have ...
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clunking noise over bumps from rear right 1997 ford ranger 3.0 liter 5 speed manual transmission
I've noticed a clunking sound coming from rear right side of my truck when going over bumps. It's a 1997 Ford Ranger 3.0 liter manual 5 speed, has over 150,000 miles. Haven't found loose suspension, ...
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