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A tailshaft doesn’t need to be obviously twisted to cause serious damage. Even 1mm of bend is enough to throw your whole driveline out of sync - leading to vibration, bearing stress, gearbox strain, and costly repairs.
Book a driveline inspection or explore our tailshaft repair services if you're noticing vibration at speed or uneven wear.
What Causes a Tailshaft to Bend?
Tailshafts are designed to rotate perfectly along a central axis. But when they take a hit or bear too much strain, they can bend just slightly - and that’s all it takes.
Common causes include:
Common causes include:
- Off-road impact or bottoming out
- Overloading or towing stress
- Accident or kerb contact
- Poor-quality aftermarket parts
- Incorrect installation or tailshaft angle
The Chain Reaction: What a Bent Tailshaft Damages
Even a mild bend causes imbalance. That imbalance creates stress across the driveline, leading to:
- Premature U-joint wear
- Damage to centre bearings and differentials
- Transmission or gearbox misalignment
- Reduced torque delivery and driving smoothness
- Fatigue cracks in the shaft if left unrepaired
How to Spot the Warning Signs
A bent tailshaft often mimics other issues, which is why it’s frequently misdiagnosed. Watch for:
- Vibration at speed (especially consistent at certain RPMs)
- Noises under load or when cornering
- Leaking seals at the centre bearing or transmission
- Uneven rear tyre wear
- Visible wobble or distortion when viewed under the car
How GJ Diagnoses a Bent Tailshaft (And What Others Miss)
Plenty of workshops blame vibrations on diffs or gearboxes — but GJ Drivelines goes deeper. Here’s how we find the real issue:
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Runout testing using precision balancing machines
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Visual and laser-based inspection
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Checking tailshaft angle, centreline alignment, and yoke condition
It’s not guesswork. It’s proper mechanical diagnosis — and it makes all the difference.
Repair vs Replace: What’s Safe (and What’s Not)
If the bend is minor, we may be able to correct and rebalance the shaft.
But if there’s any structural compromise or significant deformation, it’s safer to replace the tube or full shaft. GJ Drivelines can:
But if there’s any structural compromise or significant deformation, it’s safer to replace the tube or full shaft. GJ Drivelines can:
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Fabricate new tailshafts to exact spec
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Match yokes, flanges, and powertrain needs
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Improve strength and reliability for future load handling
For high-torque, heavy-duty, or performance applications, custom tailshafts are often the better long-term solution.
Don’t Wait for the Shake to Break Your Car
A bent tailshaft won’t fix itself — and the longer it’s left, the more damage it does.
Contact GJ Drivelines in Keysborough today for a proper diagnosis and repair before it turns into a gearbox rebuild.
