Okay everyone, I need some serious help quickly….. L Sorry for the lengthy write-up but it was ugly ….. (the important stuff is at the beginning)
Last night while driving around 70mph on the freeway, a strong vibration began to increase and before I could process it the d/s broke , hit the ground and went crunch. It was a crazy sound as it got destroyed. The car shook the center console, it popped it loose, and caused the top half of the plastic cover of the e-brake lever to snap off.
As I began to pull over the sound continued, smoke was coming from under the car, and when I pulled to a stop smoke continued to come from under the car. Then shortly after stopping the engine shuddered and shut off on its own.
Basically the transmission fluid was leaking out. The front half of the d/s looked like it was still attached, the center was destroyed, and the rear of the d/s was hanging down, but still attached also.
And, my passenger side seat will no long slide backwards when the lever in front is pulled up (I’m going to confirm this later today when I get back to the car).
So here are my concerns: * I need to know if my transmission or engine have been damaged (any guesstimates as to what could possibly get damaged?). * I need to determine what kind of shop to bring the car to. I want a thorough review of the carnage, including any possible issues with the frame since something must have flexed causing the passenger seat to no longer move. * If the shop sold this product, are the liable for the damage that has occurred? This d/s blew apart at 70mph on the freeway with my 5yr old daughter in the car with me. I like the guys at the shop, and they did a great job with the gear install, but this particular product failed, within a month of the install. * I don’t want to take it to a Ford dealership, although they would probably give the most thorough inspection, while ensuring that my warranty is now voided. Should I take it to a performance shop, but could they diagnose whether there are transmission problems? Engine problems? Should I take it to a general repair shop, a transmission shop?
Next, is it possible that my transmission is damaged? How about my engine since it died once I pulled over (or could the computer have shut it off?)?
And the fluff:
The beginning… I had the aluminum driveshaft installed by Jaws Gear in Sacramento, CA within the last month. The first time around when I started up the car and pulled it out of the garage it rattled the whole car, especially the windshield. I figured it was going to settle in since this is the way they handed me the car (apparently they hadn’t had any other problems on their installs and hadn’t tested the car). After driving it for a day or two I brought it back in to get looked at.
They rotated the d/s 180 degrees and gave it back to me. There was still too much vibration at 70mph+ so I took it back again. This time the shop that makes the driveshaft tested to make sure it was balanced, shaved a little off somewhere, but said it was balanced. When the shop went to reinstall it they noticed that the adapter they used didn’t sit right, they tried to shave off the part that caused it to sit wrong but were unable to. So they went in and installed u-joints. Now it ran smoother.
First of all, sorry for your troubles but glad nobody was hurt!
1. Automatic or stick??? There could be internal damage to either transmission or flywheel or the clutch/pressure plate if it's a manual.
2. What brand driveshaft?
3. Do you have documenntation of the problems with the inital install?
4. Sounds like you may have some serious damage to the tunnel underneath.
5. You may need to have a performance shop evaluate the engine and transmission
I'd recommend taking pictures as soon as you can and contact the shop that did the work. You may also want to consult an attorney.
ah jeez, I hope nothing serious is damaged on your car. let us know as soon as you can if your transmission is damaged what they think caused the vibration.
sorry to hear this happened to ya.
what brand is the driveshaft?
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2005 Mustang GT M5 -I reject your reality and substitute my own-
I wonder what was "shaved off a little somewhere" to balance the driveshaft. Isn't weight usually added to balance, like on wheels--they don't shave wheels, they add wheel weights to balance your wheel/tire. I am wondering about this because you said the driveshaft failed in the middle, both ends where still attached.
Also, for the driveshaft to vibrate that much from just backing out of the garage tells me the install was not correct. I would think an out of balance driveshaft would be most noticable at highway speeds, not from backing out of a garage.
As far as the brand of driveshaft, if it turns out its a popular one, that would only strengthen the arguement that it was a poor install, because you could point to many who are using the product with no problems. This is the first aluminum 1 piece driveshaft faliure I have heard of.
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Paul
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My05, let me see if I can put this in the proper words. Your shop may be liable for the damage because they sold the driveshaft. However, if they only sold it, the verdict could go either way. If they sold it and istalled it, your case is considerably stronger. Under California law, if a product has a defect (such as a design flaw) the manufacturer is absolutely liable, and the retailer may be liable. If the d/s was defective but designed correctly, you can count on both the manufacturer and retailer would be liable. Your shop may be liable as well (assuming they are different than the retailer and/or manufacturer). If you documented everything, then go to other performance shops to discover the "industry standard" to install this d/s, and if you discover the shop did not follow industry standards of care, then it would be likely that a reasonable person can conclude that this d/s could not have broken without negligence on someone's part (the shop, retailer, or manufacturer). The problem, of course, become the blame game, where the shop will blame the retailer, the manufactuerer and you; the retailer will blame the shop, the manufacturer and you; the manufacturer will blame the shop, the retailer, and you. Fortunately for you, any lawyer worth his salt can easily remove you from the equation. Your lawyer would go after all, the shop, the retailer and the manufactuer and then once he gets a favorable verdict, he will let them fight it out on who actually pays you. Now, once liability is found, all damage associated with such will be covered, including, but not limited to, such things as property damage (all damage to your car), incidental expenses (towing charges, rental car, etc), bodily injury (if any), emotional distress (since you and your daughter were in care, both were in the zone of danger) and possibly punitive damages (punishing the parties responisble for putting a dangerous item out on the market).
Now I grant, I may be biased, but I would bee-line it to a consumer product civil attorney. I would start gathering all documentation you have regarding the install and what the shop did. I would start checking other performance shops to discover what the industry standard of care is in regards to installing a driveshaft.
I would also consider taking it to a Ford dealer, regardless of whether the warranty is void or not...because no matter what, it is going to cost you money to repair, which you will in turn seek reimbursement from the liable parties. Having Ford repair your car is likely to provide the best documentation, the best inspection, and the best possibility of repair to your car.
I wonder what was "shaved off a little somewhere" to balance the driveshaft. Isn't weight usually added to balance, like on wheels--they don't shave wheels, they add wheel weights to balance your wheel/tire. I am wondering about this because you said the driveshaft failed in the middle, both ends where still attached.
Also, for the driveshaft to vibrate that much from just backing out of the garage tells me the install was not correct. I would think an out of balance driveshaft would be most noticable at highway speeds, not from backing out of a garage.
As far as the brand of driveshaft, if it turns out its a popular one, that would only strengthen the arguement that it was a poor install, because you could point to many who are using the product with no problems. This is the first aluminum 1 piece driveshaft faliure I have heard of.
I'm thinking improper installation but clearly it's too soon to judge. I too have heard of no other alum d/s failures (any mfg).
Thanks for the feedback everyone… Here are some answers and my thoughts going forward:
My car is a manual. And there was no driveshaft loop.
The install was done by Jaws Gear and Axle in Sacramento and they offered to do the aluminum driveshaft when I had my rear end gears installed. They have a shop that they go through so they provided the source of the part, the part itself, and the install. According to Jaws Gear they had a shop that made the driveshaft and they were the ones who shaved something somewhere. So it doesn’t appear that there is a brand name associated with this particular one fortunately for everyone out there.
I liked one idea I saw posted of taking it to a Ford Dealership and meeting the shop rep there to get a third party evaluation. I have to get my daughter to daycare so I’ll be back again shortly.
Thanks for the feedback everyone… Here are some answers and my thoughts going forward:
My car is a manual. And there was no driveshaft loop.
The install was done by Jaws Gear and Axle in Sacramento and they offered to do the aluminum driveshaft when I had my rear end gears installed. They have a shop that they go through so they provided the source of the part, the part itself, and the install. According to Jaws Gear they had a shop that made the driveshaft and they were the ones who shaved something somewhere. So it doesn’t appear that there is a brand name associated with this particular one fortunately for everyone out there.
I liked one idea I saw posted of taking it to a Ford Dealership and meeting the shop rep there to get a third party evaluation. I have to get my daughter to daycare so I’ll be back again shortly.
Thanks…
Well, I'm relieved that it's not a Powerhouse driveshaft but that's little consolation to you. Please keep us posted.
They rotated the d/s 180 degrees and gave it back to me. There was still too much vibration at 70mph+ so I took it back again. This time the shop that makes the driveshaft tested to make sure it was balanced, shaved a little off somewhere, but said it was balanced. So they went in and installed u-joints. Now it ran smoother.
Glad nobody got hurt.
After reading your story, it sounds like there was a problem with the install for sure.
Quote:
The first time around when I started up the car and pulled it out of the garage it rattled the whole car, especially the windshield
Quote:
When the shop went to reinstall it they noticed that the adapter they used didn’t sit right, they tried to shave off the part that caused it to sit wrong but were unable to.
.
It is also possible that they didn't set your rearend gears up properly also.
Make sure you document any further conversations with these guys. Get names and numbers. I would also try to get more info on that d/s shop. Good luck and keep us posted.
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It is also possible that they didn't set your rearend gears up properly also.
Excellent point... If that rear end seized up that could have snapped the shaft. Just happened a few weeks back to someone else only it was their stock d/s.
Excellent point... If that rear end seized up that could have snapped the shaft. Just happened a few weeks back to someone else only it was their stock d/s.
And count on the shop/retailer/manufactuer using that as a defense. Then the blame game gets complicated.
Fortunately for me they installed my Ford Racing Gears and it was very smooth, the rear tires rotate just fine right now, and they worked with the company to provide me with the d/s after they installed it. After it first began to vibrate I asked them for the name of the shop and he didn't give that to me but went on to tell me to bring it in and they'd check it out. All in-house here.
Sorry to hear about this, and I hope eveything works out for you.
And for everyone else, I would highly advise a driveshaft loop(s) whenever you have substantially increased the torque/power and/or you switch to an aftermarket driveshaft.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigwilly43729
HP numbers are good and all, but they are like asking someone how much they can bench. What difference does it make if I can still kick your a$$?
2005 Mustang GT Aftermarket Steel Driveshaft Failure 
….. (the important stuff is at the beginning)
, hit the ground and went crunch. It was a crazy sound as it got destroyed. The car shook the center console, it popped it loose, and caused the top half of the plastic cover of the e-brake lever to snap off.
