Broke the Driver's side Half shaft today...

[Invasivore]

....I guess it could have been worse. I was accelerating full throttle in 2nd gear when it let go. I didn't even shift hard. My car is stock besides air intake and exhaust. Pushed the car a half mile to my house. Question is now, what should I replace it with? Should i go with stock or upgraded. I broke it dead in the middle. Any input is appreciated.

 

[RT/ED]

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I have always been worried about one of the half shafts breaking loose. So I completed this halfshaft loop project last year for my Gen I. I modified JEGS universal drive shaft loops ($25 X 2) fab work / welding / bolts = total cost $100
Overkill.....maybe. Peace of mind....DEFINITELY! You may want to check your brake and fuel lines on the drivers side for possible damage. Glad you and the car are OK.​

 

[plumcrazy]

http://www.gounitrax.com/viper.htm

 

[Tagoo]

My guess is that it isn't that last run that really killed your halfshaft. Most of the damage probably happened during some wheel-hop on a previous occasion. I was under my car and noticed some serious twisting of the large tube of my halfshaft. I think that is where they are weakest. I have continued to use stock half-shafts (replaced the twisted halfshaft). If money were no object, i'd probably upgrade to Unitrax shafts. However, I've seen those break too. I did put safety loops on my halfshafts. If you don't have the welding skills of RT/ED, Unitrax sells nice halfshaft loops that are very easy to install.

 

[Allan]

WOW! I thrash on my car pretty hard, blew up the diff. once, axles seem ok though......I think I'm gonna mellow out some, as I don't like to walk.

 

[DrTaco]

Sorry to hear about the car. I dont have any opinion to offer, but I hope she's back on the road soon and better than ever.

 

[Roysviper]

UNITREX.....well worth the money....will always be better then the stock half shafts...that one that broke was already getting weak from previous passes.....replace both sides.....

 

[Mopar Boy]

Lol. Welcome to the broken half shaft club. Lovely feeling when it goes eh? Heart kinda sinks.....

I found that my tires were a big part of my issue. I did in the driver haft back in 09, replaced with another stock one and also got new tires. I have been ok since....

And as mentioned above, think back to some wheel hop. Likely where is started....

 

[JohnnyViper]

like the jegs loops you modified, I will put a order in for some now...what else can be done to reduce wheel hop? I have installed woodhouse engine and transmission mounts

 

[99 R/T 10]

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I have always been worried about one of the half shafts breaking loose. So I completed this halfshaft loop project last year for my Gen I. I modified JEGS universal drive shaft loops ($25 X 2) fab work / welding / bolts = total cost $100
Overkill.....maybe. Peace of mind....DEFINITELY! You may want to check your brake and fuel lines on the drivers side for possible damage. Glad you and the car are OK.​

The loops are great to have on a Gen I, but on a Gen II the shock forks will keep the half-shaft in place for the most part. I have gone thru 5 or 6 halfshafts including some Unitrax(drag racing ). That being said, the loop is cheap insurance, especially if only $100.

 

[2002_red_gts]

From what Unitrax told me when I brought my car in the 2002's have the best halfshafts of all the years. Those are the one you should get

 

[Invasivore]

Anyone know if they are left and right side specific or are they interchangeable with either side?

 

[Tagoo]

Right and left side halfshafts are the same.

 

[Invasivore]

Thank you.

 

[Invasivore]

Are there any other options besides Unitrax? I was going to possibly get their 300M shafts, but they have been discontinued. I just didn't want to put heavier shafts in if I could avoid it.

 

[Roysviper]

The UNITREX half shafts are marked,,,,,,left right....

 

[carbon777]

Yes, The Driveshaft Shop. IMHO they are the best 300M axels around. Have some in my twin turbo cobra holding over 1000rwhp and 1100lb/ft torque. Ask for Frank he's very knowledgeable and makes a ton for drift cars....\

http://www.driveshaftshop.com/domestic-axles/dodge

 

[Invasivore]

Btw I found loose u joint bolts on the broken shaft. I think that might have been the problem

 

[Invasivore]

Here are some pics

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[99 R/T 10]

The UNITREX half shafts are marked,,,,,,left right....

They are marked left or right because after you put a fair amount of torque to them, you would not want to reverse the direction(like putting them on the opposite side). They are interchangeable.

 

[GotAViper]

I have a used stock halfshaft from my 93 if interested PM me Ill sell it cheap.

 

[Paul Hawker]

Stock 1/2 shafts are pretty strong, but wheel hop, or installing stickier tires can put them over the edge.

This might be a good time to suggest people take a moment up on a rack to check for loose bolts or fanteners.

We tend to flog these cars pretty hard, so a little preventative maintenance can go a long way.

Some Vipers have not been gone over in over 10 years. Have your Viper Tech give it a safety/maintenance look next oil change.

 

[Jack B]

For information sake, the Unitrax half-shafts are usually in a back-order situation. I just bought a set, it took six weeks.