Re: drivetrain woes

Posted by Bob Carabbio on November 22, 1997 at 23:03:49

In Reply to: drivetrain woes
posted by Keith on November 22, 1997 at 20:09:55

It's difficult for me to believe that the universal could go away completely without sounding like a bucket of scrap iron falling down the cellar stairs when the engine is running in gear. There ain't much room in there to push busted parts around in.
A Single "Clunk" sounds more like a key, or a shaft break.

First thing to do is put the car in gear and hold one of the rear wheels stationary.turn the other wheel while watching the ends of the axles.If one rotates in the wheel hub, you have sheared a rear wheel key.if both axles turn with the wheels, but the motor doesn't turn - then loosen the brake adjustment on both rear wheels and pull OUT strongly on each rear wheel.if one moves out - axle busted - jerk the rear axle.
If they don't move out jerk the rear axle anyway.I'd break the rear suspension at the spring shackles and leave the spring on the car.
If you don't have a spring spreader, get one. It'll be cheap for the amount of work you'll save even if you buy one.
With the axle out things should get obvious in a hurry - the other likely things are the driveshaft, the pinion key, and the rear end of the tranny mainshaft.
Let us know what you find.
Bob Carabbio

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