If you’ve ever heard a strange clicking noise while turning into your driveway in Centennial or felt your SUV vibrating on I-225 through Aurora, your axle might be trying to tell you something. Axles are one of those parts most drivers never think about until something goes wrong. But when they do fail, you’ll notice it fast.
At Budget Transmission in Centennial, Colorado, we diagnose and repair axle problems every week. Our ASE certified technicians have rebuilt countless axles for cars, trucks, and SUVs from across the Denver metro area. We’ve seen everything from minor CV boot tears to completely snapped axle shafts. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common axle problems, what causes them, and how to fix them before a small issue turns into a major headache.
Signs Your Axle May Be Failing
Your axle doesn’t just quit working one day without warning. There are almost always signs leading up to a failure, and catching them early can save you hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars in repairs. Here’s what to watch for if you’re driving around Centennial, Aurora, or anywhere in the Denver area.
Clicking or Popping Noises When Turning
This is the classic symptom of a failing CV axle, and it’s the one we hear about most often. If you notice a rhythmic clicking or popping sound when making sharp turns at low speeds, your outer CV joint is likely worn out.
Here’s a quick way to test it: Find an empty parking lot and drive in tight circles, first to the left, then to the right. Accelerate gently while turning. If you hear a consistent clicking that matches your wheel speed, that’s your CV joint telling you it needs attention.
The clicking happens because the ball bearings inside the joint have worn down and can no longer move smoothly in their tracks. Left unchecked, the joint will eventually fail completely, which can leave you stranded.
Vibrations While Driving
Vibrations are tricky because they can come from lots of different sources, including tires, brakes, or suspension components. But axle-related vibrations have a distinct feel.
A damaged or bent axle causes the wheels to wobble slightly as they rotate. You’ll often feel this vibration through the steering wheel, the floorboard, or even the seat. It tends to get worse as you accelerate and may ease up when you coast. If the vibration is most noticeable at highway speeds, that’s another clue pointing toward your axle.
Centennial and Aurora roads can be rough on vehicles, especially during winter when potholes seem to multiply overnight. A hard hit can bend an axle just enough to cause noticeable vibrations without breaking anything outright.
Grease Leaks Near the Wheels
Both the inner and outer CV joints on your axle are protected by rubber boots filled with grease. These boots keep the lubricant in and dirt out. When a boot cracks or tears, grease starts slinging everywhere.
If you see dark grease splattered on the inside of your wheel, on suspension components, or dripping onto your driveway, a CV boot has failed. This is actually good news if you catch it early. Replacing just the boot is much cheaper than replacing the entire axle. But once the grease leaks out and dirt gets into the joint, damage happens fast.
We recommend checking your boots during regular oil changes or tire rotations. It takes just a few seconds for a technician to spot a torn boot before it becomes a bigger problem.
CV Joint Wear and Damage
CV joints (short for constant velocity joints) are the pivot points that allow your axle to flex while transferring power to the wheels. Each axle has two CV joints: an inner joint near the transmission and an outer joint near the wheel hub. They wear differently and show different symptoms when they fail.
Outer CV joints take the most abuse because they handle the sharpest angles when you steer. That clicking noise during turns? That’s almost always the outer joint. Inner CV joints, on the other hand, don’t flex as much during normal driving. When they fail, you’ll typically hear a clunking or knocking sound during acceleration and deceleration, especially when driving in a straight line.
Here’s a diagnostic trick our technicians use: Drive in reverse and alternate between accelerating and decelerating. If you hear a pronounced clunk or thud, the inner CV joint is probably worn.
Several factors accelerate CV joint wear:
- Torn CV boots that allow contamination
- Aggressive driving habits
- High mileage (joints typically last 70,000 to 130,000 miles)
- Off-road driving or exposure to mud and debris
For drivers in Aurora and Centennial who deal with our variable Colorado weather, road salt and moisture can speed up boot deterioration, which leads to premature joint failure.
Bent or Broken Axle Shafts
A bent axle is less common than CV joint problems, but it happens. Hitting a curb at speed, dropping into a deep pothole, or getting into an accident can bend the axle shaft itself. Even a slight bend causes vibrations and uneven tire wear.
A completely broken axle is pretty dramatic. Your engine will rev normally, but the vehicle won’t move. Power is literally disconnected from the wheel. This isn’t a situation where you can limp to the shop. You’ll need a tow truck.
Some warning signs that your axle shaft might be bent include:
- Persistent vibrations that don’t go away after tire balancing
- Visible wobble when watching the axle spin (requires putting the car on a lift)
- Clicking or binding that occurs even when driving straight
Bent axles can’t be straightened reliably. The metal has been stressed beyond its limits, and even if it looks straight, it’s weakened. Replacement is the only safe option.
Our technicians at Budget Transmission use premium parts when rebuilding axles. That includes new ring and pinion gears, carrier bearings, pinion bearings, and pinion seals. We believe in fixing things right the first time, which is why we don’t cut corners on components.
Worn CV Boots and Boot Replacement
CV boots might seem like a minor component, but they’re actually critical to axle longevity. These rubber covers protect the CV joint from dirt, water, salt, and road debris while keeping the lubricating grease inside where it belongs.
Boots typically fail due to age and heat cycling. Colorado’s temperature swings from hot summers to freezing winters cause the rubber to crack over time. Once a crack develops, it quickly becomes a tear, and then grease starts escaping.
The good news is that boot replacement is one of the more affordable axle-related repairs, but timing matters. If you catch a torn boot early (before the joint is damaged), you can replace just the boot and re-grease the joint. Wait too long, and you’ll need to replace the entire axle assembly.
Signs that your CV boots need attention:
- Visible cracks in the rubber
- Grease splatter on the wheel or nearby components
- A slight clicking that’s just starting (indicates early joint wear from contamination)
During a boot replacement, a good technician will inspect the joint itself for damage. If there’s any play or roughness in the joint, replacing just the boot won’t solve the problem. At that point, the whole axle should be replaced.
For Centennial and Aurora residents, we recommend a visual boot inspection at least twice a year. Winter and summer take the biggest toll on rubber components.
Axle Seal Leaks and How to Address Them
Axle seals are located where the axle shafts enter the differential housing and sometimes where they connect to the transmission. Their job is to keep differential fluid or transmission fluid from leaking out while preventing dirt from getting in.
When an axle seal fails, you’ll typically notice:
- Reddish or dark fluid spots under your vehicle (near the rear wheels or near the center of the car)
- Low fluid levels in the differential or transmission
- A burning smell if fluid drips onto hot exhaust components
Leaking seals don’t just make a mess. They can lead to differential or transmission damage if fluid levels drop too low. The gears inside these components depend on proper lubrication to function. Run them dry, and you’re looking at very expensive repairs.
Replacing an axle seal is moderately labor-intensive because the axle shaft usually needs to be partially or fully removed to access the seal. But, it’s straightforward work for an experienced technician.
At Budget Transmission, differential service is one of our specialties. Our technicians are experts at diagnosing and repairing differentials, whether that means replacing a single seal or doing a complete differential rebuild. We also handle 4×4 transfer cases, which have their own set of seals that can leak.
If you notice any fluid leaking from around your axles, don’t ignore it. A $150 seal replacement now can prevent a $2,000 differential rebuild later.
When to Repair vs. Replace Your Axle
This is a question we get all the time. Should you repair the existing axle or just replace the whole thing?
In most cases, we recommend replacing the entire axle assembly rather than trying to rebuild just the damaged joint. Here’s why:
Cost comparison: The labor to remove an axle, disassemble it, replace the CV joint, repack it with grease, and reinstall it isn’t much less than swapping in a complete rebuilt axle. The parts cost difference is often small, especially when you consider the value of warranty coverage on a complete assembly.
Reliability: When one CV joint fails, the other one is often not far behind. If your outer joint is clicking, there’s a good chance your inner joint has significant wear too. Replacing the whole axle addresses both joints at once.
Quality: A properly rebuilt axle from a reputable supplier uses new boots, new joints, and fresh grease. It’s essentially a new part with a warranty. Trying to salvage a worn axle means dealing with components that have unknown remaining life.
That said, there are exceptions:
- If only the boot is torn and the joint is still in good condition, boot replacement makes sense
- On some heavy-duty trucks, individual joint replacement might be more practical
- Rare or expensive axles (like on some European vehicles) might warrant rebuilding over replacement
Our approach is to give you an honest assessment. If a repair makes sense, we’ll tell you. If replacement is the better value, we’ll explain why. We’re not in the business of selling you parts you don’t need.
Conclusion
Axle problems aren’t something any driver wants to deal with, but they’re also not something to ignore. That clicking noise during turns, the vibration at highway speed, or the grease splatter on your wheel are all signs that something needs attention. Catching these issues early almost always saves money compared to waiting until a complete failure.
Whether you’re driving a daily commuter through Centennial or running a work truck across Aurora, keeping your axles in good condition is essential for safe, reliable transportation.
If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms we’ve discussed, bring your vehicle to Budget Transmission in Centennial, Colorado. Our skilled technicians have the training and experience to accurately diagnose your axle problems and get you back on the road safely. We use only premium parts for our axle rebuilds, and we stand behind our work. Give us a call or stop by the shop. We’re here to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common signs of axle problems?
The most common signs of axle problems include clicking or popping noises when turning, vibrations while driving (especially at highway speeds), and grease leaks near the wheels. You may also notice clunking sounds during acceleration or deceleration, which often indicates CV joint wear.
Why does my car make a clicking noise when turning?
A clicking noise when turning is typically caused by a worn outer CV joint. The ball bearings inside the joint have worn down and no longer move smoothly in their tracks. You can test this by driving in tight circles—if clicking matches your wheel speed, your CV joint needs attention.
How do I know if my CV boot needs replacement?
Check for visible cracks in the rubber boot, grease splatter on the wheel or suspension components, or dark grease dripping onto your driveway. Catching a torn CV boot early allows for affordable boot replacement, but if dirt contaminates the joint, you’ll likely need a full axle replacement.
Should I repair or replace a damaged axle?
In most cases, replacing the entire axle assembly is more cost-effective than rebuilding individual components. Labor costs are similar, and when one CV joint fails, the other often has significant wear too. A complete rebuilt axle includes new boots, joints, and fresh grease with warranty coverage.
How long do CV joints typically last?
CV joints typically last between 70,000 to 130,000 miles under normal driving conditions. However, factors like torn CV boots, aggressive driving habits, off-road use, and exposure to road salt and moisture can significantly accelerate wear and lead to premature failure.
Can I drive with a bad axle or CV joint?
Driving with a failing axle or CV joint is risky and not recommended. A worn CV joint will eventually fail completely, potentially leaving you stranded. A broken axle disconnects power from the wheel entirely, making the vehicle immobile and requiring a tow.