Are you aware that a driveshaft is not the same as a driveshaft support? In the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive Porsches, the driveshaft is a long rotating shaft that transmits power from the transmission to the rear wheels. Since the driveshaft is very lengthy, there is a need for support in the middle.
The driveshaft support bearing is fitted with a rubber bushing to accommodate the flexibility while at the same time ensuring that the driveshaft is well positioned. Eventually, the rubber bushing wears out, develops cracks or even degrades to the extent of breaking up and this causes lots of movement on the driveshaft, resulting in vibrations and noises. If the bearing itself wears out, the driveshaft will not be supported and driving will be uncomfortable.
Symptoms That Show That Your Porsche Needs Driveshaft Support Repair
- Excessive Vibrations: One of the first signs that Porsche owners may notice is vibrations under the car particularly when accelerating and they are caused by a worn out driveshaft support bearing. When the rubber wears out, the driveshaft wobbles and this vibration can be felt in the cabin of the car.
- Clunking Noises: A worn-out or broken driveshaft support is also known to produce clunking, knocking or thumping noise, especially when shifting gears or accelerating. This noise is because the driveshaft is oscillating excessively and colliding with other parts of the assembly.
- Difficulty Accelerating Smoothly: A Porsche that accelerates jerkily or hesitantly may be suffering from excessive movement in the driveshaft. Lack of support to the driveshaft may cause power delivery to be irregular, which results in jerky acceleration.
- Driveshaft Misalignment: When the driveshaft support bearing fails completely, it leads to saggings or misalignment of the driveshaft and this poses more problems to the drivetrain. Misalignment of the driveshaft can cause additional load on the transmission, differential and axles and could be very expensive to repair.
How to Replace the Driveshaft Support Bearing on a Porsche
- Diagnosis: A trained Porsche technician will assess the degree of damage on the driveshaft support bearing. This entails observing signs such as cracks on the rubber surface, excessive movement of the driveshaft, and unusual noises during acceleration.
- Driveshaft Removal: Since the support bearing is positioned in the middle of the driveshaft, the driveshaft must be detached from the vehicle to be able to replace the faulty part. This needs specific equipment and accurate positioning so that the new part works as it is supposed to.
- Replacing the Support Bearing: After the removal of the driveshaft, the support bearing is then removed and replaced by a new one. To provide durability and support, a high-quality rubber bushing is used during the assembly process.
- Balancing the Driveshaft: Once the support bearing has been changed, the driveshaft has to be balanced to avoid vibrations. If the driveshaft is not placed correctly, the new part will wear out quickly and other problems will arise.
- Reinstallation and Testing: After a new support bearing is fitted, the driveshaft is reinstalled and the system is checked to ensure that it is running efficiently. The last check is done on the road to ensure that there are no vibrations, noises or any signs of misalignment.
Preventing Future Driveshaft Support Problems
During regular drivetrain checkups, the signs of driveshaft support degradation can be detected and the part replaced before a problem occurs. Although Porsches are designed with performance in mind, things such as hard launches, rapid acceleration, or off-roading put more load on the driveshaft support bearing and wear it out more quickly. It is advisable to use OEM or high quality aftermarket driveshaft support bearing during replacement to avoid frequent replacements.
Expert Porsche Driveshaft Support Repairs in South Carolina
If you’ve noticed that your car shakes, makes some knocking sound, or accelerates roughly, do not let the problem progress further. At EuroPro, we have skilled Porsche mechanics who ensure our driveshaft support repair services are of the highest quality.
We have been serving Porsche owners in Charleston and Myrtle Beach, SC for more than 35 years. Whether you need a driveshaft support, a drivetrain check-up, or any other maintenance work, you can count on our team. Come to one of our centers for a professional evaluation and repair, and let us return your Porsche to optimum condition!