Does Axle Damage Total A Car?

Does Axle Damage Total A Car?

Damage to the axle or axles of your car is not something you can ignore. Even if the damage is mild, it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

However, axle damage repair can be pricey, especially if you need to replace parts. Is it worth it, though, and can axle damage total your car?

If Your Axle Is Broken, Is Your Car Totaled?

Does a bent axle total a car? Well, depending on the severity of the axle damage, you can expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $7,500.

Because repair can be so costly, your insurance might indeed deem your car totaled.

A car axle is a part that allows your wheels to move. It also maintains the position of the wheels relative to each other and supports the weight of the car.

Damage to the axle will prevent your car from moving even if the engine and transmission are working perfectly.

That’s why any damage to the car’s axles must be addressed as soon as possible. Even a crack or bent shaft can be dangerous.

Axle damage is considered serious damage as it impacts the structural integrity and functioning of your vehicle.

Axle Damage Repair Costs

Axle damage repair costs can vary widely depending on where the damage is, how many parts are affected, and the severity of the damage.

On the lower end of the price range for axle damage costs are individual small parts:

• CV axle replacement: $50 - $150
• CV boot replacement: $100 - $200

Larger parts usually cost more and this is what you can expect to pay for them:

• Rear axle shaft: $150 - $400
• Front axle repair: $500-$600
• Rear axle repair: $430 -$480

What about if you need to replace both front and rear axles? You’ll be looking at several thousand dollars worth of repairs:

• Front axle replacement: $700 - $4,000
• Rear axle replacement: $900 - $3,500

Axle repair also comes with labor costs that can range from $50 to $140.

Wheel alignment will likely also be necessary which can cost anywhere from $20 to $200, depending on the repair center.

How Do You Know If Your Axle Is Damaged?

There are a variety of symptoms that your car can exhibit if it has a broken axle. Some are more noticeable than others, but all of them are worth a look by an experienced mechanic.

Car axles are composed of many parts and can break at any of those points. These are some common types of damage:

• Bent or cracked shaft: Depending on the severity of the bend or crack, you might not be able to move your vehicle.
• Loose or damaged CV joint: A broken CV joint can cause instability in your vehicle.
• Cracked CV boot: This will cause grease leaks and reduce the lubrication of the CV joint.  

As a result of damage to these parts, you can experience one or more of these symptoms:

• Rough turning
•  Vibrations while driving
• Clunking, clunking, or clicking noises
• Pulling to one side when driving
• Wobbling while driving

Can A Broken Axle Damage Your Transmission?

Axle damage on a car can potentially damage your transmission. That’s because these two parts are connected. The axles respond to gear change and cause the wheels to move faster or slower accordingly.

If the axle is damaged, it can:

• Cause the transmission to slip out of gear.
• Puncture the transmission fluid reservoir.

Both can place great stress on your transmission, especially if it can’t change gears the way it’s supposed to. With enough stress, the transmission will get damaged and need repair alongside the axle.

Sell A Car With A Broken Axle

While it’s possible to repair or replace a broken axle, the cost of it might be more than you or your insurance company are willing to pay. In fact, that money can be better used to completely replace your vehicle.

If you’re leaning away from repairs and toward selling, DamagedCars is here for you. We purchase vehicles that are damaged, not running, or are totaled so, we’ll gladly buy your car with its broken axle.

Here’s how our process works:

1. Get a quote: Enter your details into our calculator.
2. Accept our offer: Wait less than two minutes to get a fair market estimate.
3. Get paid: Collect your check from our tow driver, hand over your keys and title, and you’re done!

The entire process is completely free and can be completed in 24 to 48 hours. Get a quote for your car with axle damage today!