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Noticing strange sounds or vibration coming from underneath your car? That shake or clunk might be your tailshaft, and if you’re feeling it at low speeds or during take-off, it’s time to look deeper.
Book a tailshaft inspection or see our Melbourne driveline repair services if you’re hearing something off.
Common Symptoms of a Faulty Tailshaft
Vibration under acceleration
A tailshaft out of balance or alignment can cause consistent vibration that worsens with speed.
Clunking when shifting gears
Often caused by worn U-joints, excessive backlash, or loose yokes.
Shudder on take-off
Can indicate a worn centre bearing or tailshaft misalignment, especially after a suspension lift.
High-speed wobble
A bent shaft or bad balance issue usually shows up above 80km/h.
Could It Be the Centre Bearing?
The centre bearing sits in the middle of a two-piece tailshaft and supports the rotating shaft with a rubber-mounted housing. When it starts to fail, the symptoms are often mistaken for general drivetrain issues.
Here’s what to look for:
Here’s what to look for:
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Humming or droning at certain speeds (usually 40–70 km/h)
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Vibration from beneath the seat that worsens under load
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Rubber mount deterioration or visible sag in the shaft
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Shuddering on take-off even after U-joints are replaced
Centre bearings often wear out from age, excessive torque, or poor alignment. If you're running a lifted or lowered vehicle, extra angle and stress can accelerate wear.
What Causes Tailshaft Vibration?
Several issues can cause noticeable drivetrain shake:
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Imbalanced tailshaft
May be due to a missing counterweight, bent shaft or poor aftermarket install. -
Worn U-joint or centre bearing
These parts take the brunt of torque transfer and wear over time. -
Misalignment or angle issues
Common after suspension modifications or poor installation. -
Worn slip yoke or splines
Causes excessive play in the driveline - a key source of clunking.
See our full driveline service range or browse tailshaft parts and upgrades.
Common Symptoms of a Faulty Tailshaft
There are a few simple checks you can do:
Visual inspection for leaks, cracked rubber, or obvious shaft distortion
Push-pull test at the tailshaft and yokes to check for play
But beyond that, it’s best to stop guessing and get a proper inspection. GJ Drivelines uses precision balancing equipment and alignment testing to pinpoint the cause.
What Causes Tailshaft Vibration?
We service all of Melbourne from our Keysborough workshop, specialising in:
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Driveline diagnostics
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Tailshaft repair and balancing
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Custom builds for 4WDs, performance and heavy-duty use
Don’t Ignore Driveline Noise
Tailshaft problems rarely fix themselves, and the longer they’re left, the more damage they cause.
Book a quick inspection at GJ Drivelines Keysborough and get ahead of the issue before it becomes a major repair.
