Help - my car broke!

[phiebert]

I was out for a relatively leasurely drive today when I had a major downer! I pulled away from one stop light with no problems (I did take off pretty quickly, went through a wet patch and hopped the tires a bit). When I left the next light it was like my brakes were stuck on and it made a loud clunk sound. I pulled over but the brakes don't appear to be sticking, they weren't hot. I had to limp home about 10 miles very slowly. Every time I move forward it clunks. It occasionally also clunks letting the clutch out into second or third gear. Turning onto my driveway I made a sharp left turn and it was almost as if one rear tire was spinning.

Any ideas? I can't see anything obvious although I haven't got under the car yet, just looking from the side.

Could it be a twisted half-shaft (I got the strong ones from BTR), a broken motor mount or tranny mount somewhere? Other thoughts? I will bring it to the shop soon but was hoping to get some diagnosis here first. Thanks.

 

[dblankenbaker]

I suspect you lost the bushing at the front of the ladder bar on your Gen-1. FYI, the bushing is the same size as used on the front swaybar (in case you need to locate one at your local auto parts store).

 

[JonB]

COULD be a shaft, but not likley to fail as you described. I am fairly confident that you have a Punkin' Problem: Busticated something in the rear diff. (Any chance you had a refill recently?) Jack the rear off the ground and try to turn it manually. If anchored on jackstands, VERY carefullyand slowly in gear. If the noises are obvious, you found the culprit

If it eventuates that way, consider an upgrade:

How bout a 3.55 w/ rebuild kit? Cryoed & polished ring & pinion, and internal rebuild kit incl new bearings, seals, shims, and even diff and drive shaft straps, and Speedo conversion box,pre-calibrated of course. Well Under $600 for all ($5000 Canadian!) Damaged clutches, spider, etc extra.

 

[HSSSTOY]

..Oh boy !!.. JonB your math scares me,$600 U.S. = $ 5000 Can., I think with the exchange rate it should be more like $690 Can.,
we are not that cheap.

 

[Tom Welch]

Phiebert,

Sounds like a broken u-joint. Wheel hop is devistating to U-joints. Give me a call if it is indeed one of your joints as those were guaranteed for life.

Tom
Http://btrviper.com