W Market St · (423) 913-3111 Hopper Rd · (423) 328-7036
Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM · Closed Weekends
Differential and drivetrain repair on a 4x4 truck at American & Import Auto Repair in Johnson City, TN
Differential · Axles · 4x4

Differential & Drivetrain Repair in Johnson City, TN

Clicking, whining, or vibration? That's your drivetrain talking.

Trucks, Jeeps, and 4x4s work their drivetrains hard around here, towing, hauling, and covering gravel roads and mountain grades. Our ASE certified technicians service differentials, transfer cases, axles, and driveshafts on every make and model.

Call (423) 913-3111 Schedule Service

Built for East Tennessee Driving

A lot of the trucks, Jeeps, and 4x4s we see are doing real work: towing trailers, hauling loads, running gravel roads out toward Limestone and Chuckey, or climbing the grades around Buffalo Mountain and Boones Creek. All of that puts extra heat and stress on the differential, transfer case, and axles, more than the average commuter mileage ever would. That's exactly why these components deserve their own attention, not just an oil change and a hope for the best.

What we service

Drivetrain Components We Repair

Differential Service

Clean fluid protects the gears and bearings inside the differential. Old, worn-out fluid causes wear that shortens the differential's life, and a whining noise that changes with speed is a common early warning sign. See our preventive maintenance page for typical service intervals.

Transfer Case (4x4 & AWD)

Directs power between the front and rear axles on 4x4 and all-wheel drive vehicles. It needs its own fluid service, especially on trucks and Jeeps that see regular off-road or towing use.

CV Axles & Boots

The rubber boot protects the CV joint and keeps its grease sealed in. Once a boot tears, grease escapes and dirt gets in, and the joint starts clicking on turns not long after. A torn boot found early is a small repair. Left alone, it becomes a full axle replacement.

Driveshaft & U-Joints

Carry power from the transmission back to the differential on rear-wheel and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Worn U-joints cause vibration and clunking that often gets worse at specific speeds or under load.

Axle Repair & Replacement

Covers everything from a torn boot to full axle replacement when a joint has already failed. We diagnose the actual cause of clicking, vibration, or leaking before recommending a repair.

Wheel Bearings

Support the wheel and allow it to spin freely. A failing bearing causes a humming or grinding noise that changes with vehicle speed, and can affect handling if ignored.

Signs Your Drivetrain Needs Attention

  • Clicking or popping during turns, especially sharp ones
  • Whining or humming from the rear of the vehicle that changes with speed
  • Vibration or clunking, particularly at highway speed or under load
  • Fluid leaks near the differential, axles, or underneath the vehicle
  • Difficulty engaging 4WD, or unusual noise when it's engaged
  • Grinding or grease visible on the inside of a tire, a sign of a torn CV boot

A torn CV boot found during a routine look-over is also something we flag as part of a pre-purchase inspection, since it's easy to miss on a test drive but expensive to ignore. Every qualified drivetrain repair we perform is backed by our 36 month, 36,000 mile nationwide warranty on parts and labor. We diagnose before we quote, and we never sell a repair you don't need.

How Much Does Drivetrain Repair Cost?

It depends entirely on what's worn. A CV boot caught early is a small repair. A full axle, a differential rebuild, or a transfer case repair costs more. We inspect first and give you a real, itemized price for your specific vehicle, not a phone guess.

Customer reviews

What Our Customers Say

"These folks did a great job on my Jeep Patriot, complete service plus a brake system flush and new transmission fluid. Flushed the engine ignition system and inspected the car. Did a great job, would recommend them 100 percent."

John C.

"Took my Jeep in for service and had a great experience. The team was friendly, the pricing was fair, and the work was completed on time. I appreciate the honest service and will definitely be back."

Stephen B.

"Great service and understanding of my situation with my truck. It was my grandfather's and needed a lot of work. Great people and great quality work."

Dylan D.

"Nice folks, took care of me right away when I showed up without an appointment for work on my truck."

Mike M.

Read more reviews on Google: Market Street (700+) · Hopper Road (90+)

Two shops in Johnson City

Bring Your Truck or Jeep to Either Location

Location One

West Market Street

3832 W Market Street
Johnson City, TN 37604

(423) 913-3111

Call Shop Directions
Location Two

Hopper Road

216 Hopper Road
Johnson City, TN 37604

(423) 328-7036

Call Shop Directions
Common questions

Differential & Drivetrain FAQ

What noise does a bad CV joint make?

A clicking or popping noise during turns, especially sharp ones. It usually starts after the rubber boot protecting the joint has torn and let the grease escape.

How often should differential fluid be changed?

Generally every 30,000 to 50,000 miles, though trucks and SUVs that tow, haul, or see off-road use should be serviced on the shorter end of that range because heat and stress break the fluid down faster.

What does a whining noise from the rear of my vehicle mean?

Often worn or low differential fluid, or wear inside the differential gears themselves. Worth checking before it becomes a bigger repair.

Do you service transfer cases on 4x4 and AWD vehicles?

Yes. We service transfer case fluid and diagnose transfer case issues on 4x4 trucks, Jeeps, and all-wheel drive vehicles.

How much does drivetrain repair cost?

It depends entirely on what's worn. A CV boot caught early is a small repair. A full axle, a differential rebuild, or a transfer case repair costs more. We inspect first and give you a real, itemized price.

Is drivetrain repair covered by a warranty?

Yes. Qualified drivetrain and differential repairs are backed by our 36 month, 36,000 mile nationwide warranty on parts and labor.

Serving Johnson City and the Tri-Cities

We service differentials and drivetrains for trucks, Jeeps, and 4x4s across Johnson City, Jonesborough, Gray, Telford, Chuckey, Elizabethton, Erwin, Fall Branch, Kingsport, Limestone, Piney Flats, and throughout Washington, Carter, and Unicoi counties. See our full list of services, learn what sets our shop apart, or head back to our home page.

Clicking, whining, or vibration

Let's get your drivetrain sorted out

Differential, transfer case, axles, or driveshaft, our ASE certified team will find the real cause.

Schedule Service Call W Market St Call Hopper Rd
W Market St · (423) 913-3111 Hopper Rd · (423) 328-7036