Resolved 1G Splines on output shaft spiraling? wtf?

[pitbull419]

I bought a parts car, started tearing it apart and found the output shaft (one connecting to tcase) looking like this.
The splines are spiraling around the shaft.
Here's a pic.

Any ideas?

 

[jtmcinder]

The output shaft wanted to be part of a helical diff when it grew up?

- Jtoby

 

[Dream On]

Maybe the t-case locked up and caused it?

 

[pitbull419]

Thats what i was thinking but the splines on the inside of the tcase arent messed up

I forgot to state the splines aren't worn down just spiraled like that.

Can i just change that shaft? If so how much work is it?

 

[Defiant]

Yow! I'd not expect much in that driveline to be very healthy.
Can you get us a real picture?

 

[pitbull419]

what do you mean a real picture?\
better quality?

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Changing the output shaft is somewhat simple. Pretty much the same as swapping out a center diff. Procedure can be found here: http://www.geocities.com/spencerhut/talon/center_differential_repair.htm

 

[Defiant]

what do you mean a real picture?\
better quality?

Um.... yeah. One with a bit of focus?

 

[pitbull419]

Well it was kinda hard the car is only on a ramp.
I pulled the camera as far back as i could and the zoom was all the way back.
Ill go try to take another one.

Were can i find a step by step for changing the output shaft?

 

[pitbull419]

I think these are a little better.
Im not a master of the camera yet

 

[SBstar]

How could the splines on the transfer case not be messed up after that? How did you pull the shaft out of the transfer case at all? I'm going to guess the splines no longer lock at all the and the shaft just spins around in the transfer case? Either way I'm guessing something is wrong with the transfer case, no way those splines just gave up like that.

 

[pitbull419]

Thats what had me thinking.
The splines in the transfer case are how they should be.I dont get it myself.
It was easy to get the transfer case off the output shaft.Actually the easiest one i have ever pulled.Now getting the transfer case off the drive shaft is different i still cant get it off.
I called the guy and asked him what he did to the car.The only thing he said he could remember was, he had to lock the brakes up at like 90mph and he didnt press the cluth in.
He said a semi cut him off and his reaction was to only hit the brakes.
Im thinking that could be it

 

[DirtyBirdRacing]

It looks like the shaft has obviously been twisted, almost to the point where the last bit of it with normal "splineage" had been twisted off the rest of the input shaft. That would maybe explain why the twisted splines look thinner then the ones that are not twisted. Also the splines on the end of the shaft dont look like they match up straight with the splines that are before the "bent" splines, again telling me that it was just twisted around.

Perhaps when he locked the brakes, the torque from the engine just found the weakest link in the drivetrain and this happened to be it. But yeah definetly replace it.

Bill

 

[toybreaker]

Noice!!!

I'm a little amazed it didn't break the shaft along the splines, but it just goes to show you how strong the driveline pieces are in these cars.

The output shaft can be changed pretty easily, with out dissassembling the whole transmission, but I would strongly suggest you dissassemble the transmission to check for collateral damage.

At the very least, I would look very carefully at the center diff spider and pinion thrust surfaces. They would have had to transfer that load to the viscous coupler in order to twist that baby up like that, so I would imagine they will show some signs of distress.

In fact, I'm not sure if I buy the guys story, either...I'm sure everybody on this board has had a "moment" ( WTF Buuuuuuick!!!!! ), and after changing our underwear, shhh: ) we continued on with no appreciable driveline damage.

I'd give that whole parts car the hairy eyeball, and check and recheck every piece that you take off it. .

 

[pitbull419]

Any ideas on about how long it would take me to replace the output shaft?
Any links to a step by step?

The transmission still shifted fine after it happened (i rode in it) but the transfer case went out so I thought till I tore it apart to find this.

Im sure the tcase is still bad tho

 

[Defiant]

Great pics, thanks.
Looks like that T-case locked at speed.

 

[pitbull419]

Thanks, those pics were a pain to get it's really muddy here and not much room to move under the car.
Could slaming the brakes at like 90mph have done this?
Im still looking for a answer of about how long it would take to change the shaft?
Also anybody know of a link with step by step instructions?

 

[RoasT BeeF]

I already posted a link. Following those steps will get the shaft removed.

 

[pitbull419]

So it looks like i might be able to pull this off with the tranny still in the car?

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Yes you can.

 

[pitbull419]

Already got her done.
I must say im happy with myself.This was the first time i have ever tore in to a dsm tranny.Only took me like 30 min to get it done.