Is It Safe to Drive With a Broken Axle?

Without two operational axles, your car won’t be going much of anywhere. They’re what transfers power to the wheels from the transmission (in a front-wheel drive setup) or the differential (in a rear-wheel drive system). If one of your axles is broken, do not drive the car. It’s not safe.

If you notice a bumping, clicking or grinding noise when going into turns, your axle isn’t broken yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Actually, the problem here is most likely a failing CV joint. If the boot that protects the joint is damaged and the grease leaks out, dirt and debris will get in. Combined with the lack of lubrication from not enough grease, the joint will eventually tear itself apart.

If your axles are failing, you’ll still technically be able to drive your car. This is very risky, though, as they could completely fail at any point and is not recommended at all. When your axle fails, it’s possible that you’ll lose control of the car, possibly causing an accident or crashing. It’s a far better choice to have the problem diagnosed and repaired now, rather than trusting to chance.

If you suspect that your axles are about to break, time is of the essence. Once broken completely, your car won’t move, and if they break while you’re driving, it could cause a serious accident. It is recommended to have a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, diagnose your vehicle and assist you with an axle replacement if required.


Next Step

Schedule CV Axle / Shaft Assembly Replacement

The most popular service booked by readers of this article is CV Axle / Shaft Assembly Replacement. YourMechanic’s technicians bring the dealership to you by performing this job at your home or office 7-days a week between 7AM-9PM. We currently cover over 2,000 cities and have 100k+ 5-star reviews... LEARN MORE

SEE PRICING & SCHEDULING

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Recent CV Axle / Shaft Assembly Replacement reviews

Excellent Rating

(2,136)

Rating Summary
2,018
70
11
10
27
2,018
70
11
10
27

Greg

23 years of experience
624 reviews
Greg
23 years of experience
Ford F-150 V8-5.4L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Driver Side Front) - Chandler, Arizona
greg was awesome!! This the second time he has came out and worked my truck and he knocked it out!! totally recommend him!!
Buick Park Avenue - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Chandler, Arizona
Greg was very professional and knew his stuff well prepared couldn’t of asked for a better mechanic

William

35 years of experience
731 reviews
William
35 years of experience
Hyundai Sonata V6-2.7L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Driver Side Front) - Glendale, Arizona
This is the second time I've had William wolf work on my vehicle William always does a great job and my vehicle runs much better after he works on it!
Jeep Patriot - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Driver Side Front, Passenger Side Front) - Peoria, Arizona
I've used William before and I will use his services again. He's very honest, honest, honest. Did I mention he's honest. He does whatever he can to keep the bill down, but does top notch work.

Genaro

14 years of experience
309 reviews
Genaro
14 years of experience
Toyota Camry L4-2.4L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Houston, Texas
Genaro was great and very professional. He showed up early, discussed what we were doing, showed me the issue, and got to work. He was very efficient and we were checked out in just over an hour. This was my first time using a mobile mechanic and it was an a smooth experience! Thanks Genaro!
Nissan Rogue - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Houston, Texas
He gets 5 stars!! Thank you Mr. Genaro for being early and very effecient. I had a mechanic through this service cancel on my twice. I almost went through another service because of that. I’m very thankful Mr. Genaro came through and worked his magic. He didn’t let the sprinkle of rain stop him either. I am very pleased with his service and will book through him again. Many, many thanks to you Sir!!! I’ll be recommending him to all my friends.

Mike

27 years of experience
265 reviews
Mike
27 years of experience
Chevrolet Impala V6-3.5L - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Passenger Side Front) - Romulus, Michigan
Mike was great. I would recommend him, and this service. If and when I need another repair, I will utilize this site.
Ford Fusion - Axle / CV Shaft Assembly Replacement (Driver Side Front) - Southgate, Michigan
My car doesn't move and this help me to lower the cost of towing,. convenience. Mike worked in parking lot

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

How Long Does a CV Boot Last?
Without Without the engine and the transmission in a car, it will not be able to run. The power that is produced by the engine of the car is put to the wheels of the vehicle by the transmission. The...
How to Replace Axle Seals
Axle seals fail when there is a visible leak or a major puddle of gear oil underneath the vehicle. In some cases, the axle may pop out entirely.
How to Replace a Front Axle Engagement Switch on Most Cars
The switch that engages the front axle fails when it gets stuck, does not activate the four-wheel drive, or is difficult to engage.

Related questions

My 2001 Volvo s40 males a loud thud every time I put it in drive. What could it mean?
The CV axle joints (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/axle-cv-shaft-assembly-replacement) should be inspected for wear and/or damage. Putting the transmission into drive suddenly loads the joints and if there is looseness in those joints, as the play is suddenly taken up you can hear a...
Clicking and popping noise
This is a common sign of a failing CV joint. A CV (Constant Velocity) joint is a shaft that connects the transmission to the wheels, essentially transferring the power from the drive train directly to the wheels. The CV joint...
I hit a median with the front driver side tire and then my front passenger tire caved in
Hello, thank you for writing in. Hitting a curb can cause damage to the tire, rim, and axle. Evaluating the damage on the drivers front tires is the first step. The tire may be damaged. The rim may now be...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (844) 997-3624 · hi@yourmechanic.com