A 904 in heaven- unusual failure

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Eric_S68

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Went to the local "test N tune" yesterday.... To try and get some ET's and "shake her down". Approx 700' out, I experienced major vibration in driveline. I had a shot at winning so I stayed in it; only to hear "bang" Clunk clunk, clunk..... Today, I inspected the damage... Front U joint failure. No big deal right? Well, it seems my Full size starter and part of the trans case, is on my headders!!!!!!!!!:angry4: Anyone ever see a failure like this?

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Would you reuse this driveshaft?
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t316/Eric_S68/DSC00040.jpg

Trans should be out by tommorow for further inspection.

Could the vibration have actually broke the starter loose? I cant figure out how the TQ could have hit it.
 
Never seen that before! Maybe the case was cracked and the vibration finished it? I would sure like to know what caused it. I know that chrysler used the braces between the block and the trans, I left mine out. Did you have those factory braces?
 
I dont think I would reuse the DS or TQ with out having them checked out. I would think that the DS may be bent or out of balance. The TQ might have caused the initial problem, better safe than sorry.
My .02.
Frank
 
I were you I would tear down the 904 an dinspect the over running roller clutch. Many times after that type of failuer they will explode on the next pass under load. You can get a new roller fit for less than $20 or so and only a few seals needed
 
Thanks, I know about the over running clutch. Trans, was just gone thru n fresh. My only thought is a snap ring wasnt fully seated in the frt u joint, I'm was missing a cap upon inspection
 
when you get it pulled out look at the broken case to see if it is all fresh or if it is partly dull, indicating an old crack. it's hard to inagine what would blow the starter and corner of the case off without the starter being engaged and jamming or something. check the starter for damage, maybe it was stuck out and engaged in the ring gear? Doug
 
Interesting. I'd be surprised if the 'u joint' did that. But..........
 
my trany guy put a shift kit and some other mods to my 904 on my pick up awesome shifts but i some how twisted the whole case in half! dont know how that happenened, he asked me if i was doing trany drops, i didn't even know what they were untill he told me. and i dont think i'll ever try one either but i've been scared of the 904 after that
 
I had the same thing happen to one back when I was a kid. Was hammering on it down the highway and it started vibrating real bad and even though I let off right away the damage was done. I pulled over and trans. fluid was pouring out of it. It was a fairly new trans. and I hoped maybe it was just some seal blew. Got towed home and jacked it up to find the case broken most of the way around and a c-clip missing on the front U-joint causing the U-joint to go off center.
 
Driveshaft failures are really hard on trans cases. I broke a rear u-joint on the starting line years ago in my Buick. Car didn't even move a foot and it broke the bellhousing off the case.

I would not reuse that driveshaft, even if it does appear straight.
 
a thrown drive shaft will definately do that ...like mention'd above.
i would also pull the pan on the rear and inspect the ring and pinion.
although its more of an issue when they let go at the line.
but this could cause damage to the ring gear...better check it.
fwiw
cheapst.
 
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