TrakMotive specializes in 100% brand new Drive Shafts and CV Axles for many popular cars, SUVs and trucks. TrakMotive offers industry leading coverage and competitive pricing, to help get your car or truck back on the road.

Driveshafts:

• All units are 100% machine balanced to ensure trouble-free service life from vibration and noise
• Premium forged 3 layer sealed u-joints provide maintenance-free life and can handle higher torque loads
• U-Joint cups are packed with premium lithium grease providing better lubrication and resistance to extreme temperatures

CV Axles:

• Heat-Treated & Precision Machined Solid Steel Center Shafts
• Heat-Treated Machine-Ground Cages, Races & Bearings
• Assembled with High-Quality Neoprene Dust Boots & Stainless Steel Boot Clamps

You can find TrakMotive CV Axles and Drive Shafts in the RockAuto catalog in the "Drivetrain" category of your specific vehicle.

Last winter, a squeak developed from the engine of my 2005 Hyundai Elantra. My inspection unequivocally concluded the noise was the power steering pump, and I commenced the repair by replacing the belt. The squeak persisted, and the repair attempts escalated to replacing the power steering fluid and eventually replacing the entire power steering pump. But the squeak was still there! My mechanic's advice, "Get a new car!" As spring arrived, the warmer temperatures reduced the squeak but not my frustration for being unable to resolve the noise.

One day while driving, I heard a small pop as the alternator light came on, and power steering stopped working. Upon inspection, I discovered a broken alternator belt, which was also responsible for driving a pulley for the power steering pump belt! While focusing on the aforementioned repairs, it was the alternator belt slipping and squeaking the entire time! With a new alternator belt my "power steering" squeak vanished. Lesson learned: Inspect the entire system of belts not just what you think may be the problem.

John in Alberta, Canada

What is the difference between a "Motor Mount" and a "Torque Strut Mount?" The motor mounts are the primary anchor points for holding the engine in place, and they also dampen engine vibrations. Torque strut mounts further dampen engine vibrations.

Computer models may tell engineers where to place torque strut mounts or engineers may notice a test vehicle's engine moves around excessively and decide to add a torque strut mount or two. Engines mounted transversely in front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive vehicles are most likely to need torque strut mounts.

The symptoms of failing motor mounts and torque strut mounts are typically the same. The engine may vibrate excessively when idling and/or rock unusually far when the transmission is shifted in and out of gear. There may be unusual noises and/or vibrations from the engine and/or transmission when the vehicle gets up to speed. The engine may eventually move far enough to start damaging surrounding parts, including electrical connectors, axles, hoses, radiator and more.

Typical Torque Strut Mounts

Inspect motor mounts and torque strut mounts for torn or missing rubber and cracked or corroded brackets. Some motor mounts contain fluid that may be visibly leaking. For the most successful repair, it is usually best to replace all the motor mounts and torque strut mounts. The other old mounts are likely to be failing too, and the excess vibrations they enable could potentially shorten the life of a freshly installed new mount.

See the Motor Mounts and Torque Strut Mounts for your specific vehicles under "Engine" in the RockAuto.com catalog.

Tom Taylor,
RockAuto.com

To read more of Tom's articles, click this link and choose from story titles on the Newsletter Archives page.