Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Destroyed a driveshaft!

[Gizmo 007]

AAARRGGHHH!! Yesterday morning on my way to work I shelled my rear driveshaft . After I got stopped and pick up what was left, I can clearly see what happened.



One of the ears of the rear u-joint (the one that mounts to the yoke of the differential) broke off, and slung the drive shaft. The shaft swung around and hit the frame, breaking the slip joint. The inside slip shaft looks like a pretzel! The carrier bearing was ripped from the bolts and destroyed, and the short shaft that goes into the tailshaft housing somehow managed to fold around, also breaking that u-joint and snapping off one of the ears of the yoke.



I was about 15 miles from home, so I put it in 4wd and limped back home on front wheel drive only.



The good part about all of this... Nothing hit the fuel tank, the tailshaft wasn't damaged, and I made it home. The bad part... to have a drive shaft built - $520. Ouch.



Sorry, I just had to vent. Things like that are frustrating. I suppose I've just had a bad week. Oh well, things will get better.

 

[Whitmore]

Kris, did you ever have the driveline off for any reason prior to this???



Cheers,Kevin

 

[LSMITH]

So... ... ... What was the boost level and RPM when said catastrophic failure of the propulsion transfer mechanism occured? On a gear change perhaps?

 

[Pit Bull]

Just wondering what did your rig dino at?

 

[fj40charles]

Hey Kris,



I think if you gave me your twins and cut back on the power your driveshaft would have lasted much longer... .



I guess you'll be buying yourself a new driveshaft for Xmas. I wonder if you could get one cheaper from a wrecked vehicle.



Charles

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

ke BANG!

* WOW * Gizmo



I can imagine the racket it made when it let go



Vaughn

 

[KatDiesel]

He said in another post his COMP is unhooked... ... ... . until he upgrades the transmission. So at the time of the failure he didn't have as much power as y'all might think.

 

[Gizmo 007]

Whitmore, yes the driveshaft has been off before. I had to have it lengthened to fit the auto transmission. The auto is 5" shorter than the 6 speed. I personally took it off and put it back on... I think I remembered to tighten the bolts



Kat is right, I don't have my Comp box hooked up, just running on injectors and twins.



I heard a loud metallic clunk when it shifted into 3rd gear. I turned off the radio and backed off the throttle and whammo! Clang, Blam, poosh, bang, boom, clink, screeeeeeech. The screech was all six tires locked up sliding to a stop ... sideways (I fixed the ABS problem )



LSMITH, I was at about 20 psi boost in 3rd gear turning about 2400 RPMs @ ~50 mph. I think it happened when it shifted into 3rd. Just took a second to come loose.



Pit Bull, my last dyno run (mid november) pulled 422 HP / 943 ft lbs torque. But I'm just barely above stock right now.



fj40, I've called to every salvage yard within a 150 mile radius. No luck on an extended cab long wheel base auto with diesel . Yep, I get to buy myself a driveshaft for X-mas. And I was hoping for some DTT stuff, too... bummer :{. A new complete shaft from DC is $830. $520 isn't all that bad relatively.



Ya'll have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[Roger rodbolt]

Gizmo,

Sorry about your bad luck. Around here it costs around a hundred dollars to retube a driveshaft, so even if you pay another hundred for a salvage yard shaft that is too short, you can save 50%. The yokes and fittings are expensive but most place will easily discount 25% or more. Look for shops that do agricultural work or custom/race car stuff. If you are going with all new parts you may want to upgrade to larger ujoints and yokes. Of course I wouldn't know anything about that... ... ..... .



Larry

 

[Gizmo 007]

I got my new shaft Christmas eve, and was amazed with what I got! This thing is HEAVY! He used super thick tubing, and huge grease type u-joints. This thing is a monster! He said if I managed to twist a tube, or break a yoke, he would rebuild it free! He guaranteed everything but the u-joints themselves, which is what failed to begin with. But with the larger joints, it's gonna be tough to break one now. I'm very happy with the workmanship and service I got from them.



Also, the final price, $407. He overpriced his estimate. Made for a better Christmas!



Thanks guys!

 

[TxDieselKid]

Originally posted by Gizmo 007

Also, the final price, $407. He overpriced his estimate. Made for a better Christmas!

Glad to hear that your running again Kris, merry christmas!!!



Andrew

 

[Chipstien]

Try not to break this one too.

 

[drice]

well buddy I sure am glade we wernt running down the track when it happened.



BTW when I finish gettign mine back together we will HAVE to go see if I can hang with you now I think I might



well that is if you manually shift that auto