Casualty of the track!

Mustang92 · 07-28-2001, 01:31 AM

Well tonight I got to the track in my car and my car got home on a tow dolly. I haven't been to the track in almost a month so I thought I would give it a shot tonight...big mistake!

First pass was a waste, missed 3rd. Second pass wasn't bad but the car spun a little, still I cut a 1.70 short and went 12.99. I knew if I did a longer burnout I could get into the 1.65-1.69 range. Third pass I did a perfect burnout, both tires were heated good and both screatched when I pulled forward. I almost stalled the car pulling up to the line, I knew this run was going to be good. I brought my RPM's to 6K, watched the lights drop and snap, crackle, POP! The motor was spinning but the car wan't moving and there was a nasty sound from the rear of my car.

I pushed it out of the lanes and checked everything out and it appears I killed the differential. I jacked the car up and you could spin one wheel (while in gear) and every so often the other wheel would spin a partial turn and of course you could hear the pieces of my differential rolling around. I also did this from the other side with the same result.

I was prepared for this to happen, I have 31 spline axles, studs waiting in my room as well as 4.30's!

So I'll be picking up a new diff on Monday and get it back together. I'll admit I figured the axles would be the first thing to go not the differential. I guess it didn't do too bad, the car has 54K miles, 411 passes (110 on slicks alone at 5500 or higher launches). At least this didn't happen at the FFW Virgina race last month.

If it isn't broke, break it and fix it with better parts!

Bill

------------------
00 GT, MAC Offroad H, Steeda Pulleys & Timing Adjuster, 4.10’s, Flows w/turndowns, UPR shifter, UPR Pro Series LCA’s, Lakewood 70/30’s & 50/50’s, 253.8 RWHP/292.8RWTQ
12.91@101.93 (1.74 60ft)
M/M 100, 7085
2001 Mod Motor Shootout 2V NA Champion
Recent Pic from Moroso

StoplightWarrior · 07-28-2001, 05:56 PM

Well, sucks that it happened like that, but at least you'll get to beef up your rear even more. Good Luck pulling even more rediculous times with your new parts! Keep us posted.

------------------
Black 2000 GT
Bassani X-pipe, Magnaflow Mufflers, Steeda Pulleys, K&N Filter. Steeda Weld in Subframes, Strut Tower brace, Sport Springs, Caster/Camber Plates.

Ares · 07-28-2001, 09:27 PM

Well could have been worse. Reading your post I thought you were about to say you blew the tranny, especially with the 6k launches. Heck I would take a busted diff anyday. Least now you can but a real nice diff in car.

------------------
2000 GT Laser red-5speed,MAC Cold Air, MAC 2 1/2" Cat-Back, 3.27gears, Pro-5.0 shifter, Weld Draglite's 15x5 and 15x10, 275/50-15 DragT/A's, 165R15 front, BBK Underdrive pullies, BBK offroad X-pipe with Dynomax super converters

Best Quarter mile run to date: 13.350@101.79/1.844 60'(7-6-01)Best MPH 101.79(7-6-01)

Skyman · 07-28-2001, 11:13 PM

54k miles in a year, damn! It held up for a long time.

Skyler

------------------
-1989 Saleen Mustang #406-
TFS TW Heads, E-303, Edelbrock intake, 70mm TB, 73mm MAF, 24lb injectors, 1 5/8 shorties, Off Road H, 3 Chamber flows, Jaz Race seats, Back seat removed, sub-frames, Roll Cage, and a 80 shot of N20.
12.54@107.4 Motor
1.69 60'

Mustang92 · 07-29-2001, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ares:
Well could have been worse. Reading your post I thought you were about to say you blew the tranny, especially with the 6k launches. Heck I would take a busted diff anyday. Least now you can but a real nice diff in car.

At first I thought maybe it was the tranny. Which I'm not prepared to replace just yet.

Mustang92 · 07-31-2001, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skyman:
54k miles in a year, damn! It held up for a long time.

Skyler

Actually just a little over a year and a half, bought the car in November 1999. With the abuse I put on this car I'm amazed that the rear end held up as long as it did.

The other thing I found weird was my axles were perfectly fine, no damage at all. Turns out the problem was the spider gears, they where gone. Turns out for the past 4 months when I kept on hearing this weird clanking sound coming from the rear it wasn't my solid bushing suspension it was my differential slowing going away.

Regardless I have the 31 spline axles and differential and 4.30's out back now. I don't think I'll have much problem with anything aside from the diff when I start making big power.

Nitrous Al · 08-11-2001, 10:02 PM

My friend snapped his axle shaft at the strip on slicks. I didn't know you could break the 8.8" differential. Got to love leaving the line at 6000 rpms!

bark3rd · 08-15-2001, 11:02 AM

You've got me paranoid now. My car makes a clunking noise sometimes when I am shifting at low rpms, especially 1st. I can hear sort of a thud when the differential engages. It didnt do this previously. I recently installed LCA's so I dont know if they are the culprit. I also seem to have more driveline lash than I used to before the LCA's, is that normal?

------------------
Black 2000 GT,5 spd,17" wheels,4:10's, HPM Megabite Jr LCA's, Flowmasters, Steeda pulleys, timing adjuster (11 deg), K&N filter, Nitrous Express w/purge (75shot currently),NGK spark plugs (lower heat range than stock plugs), airbox silencer removed

Mustang92 · 08-15-2001, 11:43 AM

Double check the bolts for you control arms they may just be loose. Mine did that as well for the first few months. If the clunking does continue it may be the diff. I changed the fluid in mine about 4 months ago and noticed the teeth of the diff were chipped. I wasn't making enough power to break an axle but the continued abuse of burnouts and high RPM launches took it's toll on the differential.

bark3rd · 08-15-2001, 01:02 PM

92- You say that your LCA's did the same thing for the first few months. What happened after that? Did you tighten them or did they break in somehow or what? What about driveline lash, it seems much more pronounced now and it must be because of the LCA's-any theory on that? My car has more of an "on-off" feel now if ya know what I mean.(and Im not talking about the nitrous!)

------------------
Black 2000 GT,5 spd,17" wheels,4:10's, HPM Megabite Jr LCA's, Flowmasters, Steeda pulleys, timing adjuster (11 deg), K&N filter, Nitrous Express w/purge (75shot currently),NGK spark plugs (lower heat range than stock plugs), airbox silencer removed

Mustang92 · 08-15-2001, 01:49 PM

What I mean is my first set just where coming loose or at least the bolts needed to be re-tightened. After that they were fine. Currently I have solid steel/aluminum bushings in the back and it transfers all noise inside the car.

The driveline lash has always been there on your car but the controls arms make it more noticable. I will say that my new axles and stock 31 spline Ford diff are much more solid overall. I know the sound you are talking about and part of that is your driveline slop. I don't really think there is anyway to get rid of it other than changing out parts.

bark3rd · 08-15-2001, 05:02 PM

OK cool, I feel a bit better. I had no idea LCA's would have these side effects. My car does seem to track better, it used to have this twitch when on the highway and now its gone. Also, when launching or gassing it hard from low speeds the car has a bit of a different feel/character. It seems to hook up better (its hard to notice though, I think my 60ft dropped about a 10th but thats it). So its the beefier materials in the aftermarkey LCA's causing transfer of noise? Geesh, I'd hate to see what kind of noise my car would make with extensive suspension mods. Kind of makes me appreciate why manufacturers use what they do when building cars, its not always about cutting costs.

------------------
Black 2000 GT,5 spd,17" wheels,4:10's, HPM Megabite Jr LCA's, Flowmasters, Steeda pulleys, timing adjuster (11 deg), K&N filter, Nitrous Express w/purge (75shot currently),NGK spark plugs (lower heat range than stock plugs), airbox silencer removed

Mustang92 · 08-17-2001, 08:02 AM

What makes them noisier is the bushings. Stock uses soft rubber bushings which dampen the sound and aftermarket uses either urathane or solid steel/aluminum (like mine) which tranfers all the noise inside the car. Of course the benifit is that it also transfers the power to the ground instead of being absorbed by the stock bushings.

07-28-2001, 01:31 AM	#1
Mustang92 Drag Racer! Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Lake Worth, FL USA Posts: 757	Casualty of the track! Well tonight I got to the track in my car and my car got home on a tow dolly. I haven't been to the track in almost a month so I thought I would give it a shot tonight...big mistake! First pass was a waste, missed 3rd. Second pass wasn't bad but the car spun a little, still I cut a 1.70 short and went 12.99. I knew if I did a longer burnout I could get into the 1.65-1.69 range. Third pass I did a perfect burnout, both tires were heated good and both screatched when I pulled forward. I almost stalled the car pulling up to the line, I knew this run was going to be good. I brought my RPM's to 6K, watched the lights drop and snap, crackle, POP! The motor was spinning but the car wan't moving and there was a nasty sound from the rear of my car. I pushed it out of the lanes and checked everything out and it appears I killed the differential. I jacked the car up and you could spin one wheel (while in gear) and every so often the other wheel would spin a partial turn and of course you could hear the pieces of my differential rolling around. I also did this from the other side with the same result. I was prepared for this to happen, I have 31 spline axles, studs waiting in my room as well as 4.30's! So I'll be picking up a new diff on Monday and get it back together. I'll admit I figured the axles would be the first thing to go not the differential. I guess it didn't do too bad, the car has 54K miles, 411 passes (110 on slicks alone at 5500 or higher launches). At least this didn't happen at the FFW Virgina race last month. If it isn't broke, break it and fix it with better parts! Bill ------------------ 00 GT, MAC Offroad H, Steeda Pulleys & Timing Adjuster, 4.10’s, Flows w/turndowns, UPR shifter, UPR Pro Series LCA’s, Lakewood 70/30’s & 50/50’s, 253.8 RWHP/292.8RWTQ 12.91@101.93 (1.74 60ft) M/M 100, 7085 2001 Mod Motor Shootout 2V NA Champion Recent Pic from Moroso

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07-28-2001, 05:56 PM	#2
StoplightWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nor-Cal Posts: 1,311	Well, sucks that it happened like that, but at least you'll get to beef up your rear even more. Good Luck pulling even more rediculous times with your new parts! Keep us posted. ------------------ Black 2000 GT Bassani X-pipe, Magnaflow Mufflers, Steeda Pulleys, K&N Filter. Steeda Weld in Subframes, Strut Tower brace, Sport Springs, Caster/Camber Plates.

07-28-2001, 09:27 PM	#3
Ares Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Saxonburg, PA, USA Posts: 236	Well could have been worse. Reading your post I thought you were about to say you blew the tranny, especially with the 6k launches. Heck I would take a busted diff anyday. Least now you can but a real nice diff in car. ------------------ 2000 GT Laser red-5speed,MAC Cold Air, MAC 2 1/2" Cat-Back, 3.27gears, Pro-5.0 shifter, Weld Draglite's 15x5 and 15x10, 275/50-15 DragT/A's, 165R15 front, BBK Underdrive pullies, BBK offroad X-pipe with Dynomax super converters Best Quarter mile run to date: 13.350@101.79/1.844 60'(7-6-01)Best MPH 101.79(7-6-01)

07-28-2001, 11:13 PM	#4
Skyman I need 110mph Trap Speed! Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: So, CA Posts: 4,315	54k miles in a year, damn! It held up for a long time. Skyler ------------------ -1989 Saleen Mustang #406- TFS TW Heads, E-303, Edelbrock intake, 70mm TB, 73mm MAF, 24lb injectors, 1 5/8 shorties, Off Road H, 3 Chamber flows, Jaz Race seats, Back seat removed, sub-frames, Roll Cage, and a 80 shot of N20. 12.54@107.4 Motor 1.69 60'

08-11-2001, 10:02 PM	#7
Nitrous Al Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Everett, MA Posts: 417	My friend snapped his axle shaft at the strip on slicks. I didn't know you could break the 8.8" differential. Got to love leaving the line at 6000 rpms!

08-15-2001, 11:02 AM	#8
bark3rd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: AUSTIN, TX, USA Posts: 91	You've got me paranoid now. My car makes a clunking noise sometimes when I am shifting at low rpms, especially 1st. I can hear sort of a thud when the differential engages. It didnt do this previously. I recently installed LCA's so I dont know if they are the culprit. I also seem to have more driveline lash than I used to before the LCA's, is that normal? ------------------ Black 2000 GT,5 spd,17" wheels,4:10's, HPM Megabite Jr LCA's, Flowmasters, Steeda pulleys, timing adjuster (11 deg), K&N filter, Nitrous Express w/purge (75shot currently),NGK spark plugs (lower heat range than stock plugs), airbox silencer removed

08-15-2001, 11:43 AM	#9
Mustang92 Drag Racer! Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Lake Worth, FL USA Posts: 757	Double check the bolts for you control arms they may just be loose. Mine did that as well for the first few months. If the clunking does continue it may be the diff. I changed the fluid in mine about 4 months ago and noticed the teeth of the diff were chipped. I wasn't making enough power to break an axle but the continued abuse of burnouts and high RPM launches took it's toll on the differential.

08-15-2001, 01:02 PM	#10
bark3rd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: AUSTIN, TX, USA Posts: 91	92- You say that your LCA's did the same thing for the first few months. What happened after that? Did you tighten them or did they break in somehow or what? What about driveline lash, it seems much more pronounced now and it must be because of the LCA's-any theory on that? My car has more of an "on-off" feel now if ya know what I mean.(and Im not talking about the nitrous!) ------------------ Black 2000 GT,5 spd,17" wheels,4:10's, HPM Megabite Jr LCA's, Flowmasters, Steeda pulleys, timing adjuster (11 deg), K&N filter, Nitrous Express w/purge (75shot currently),NGK spark plugs (lower heat range than stock plugs), airbox silencer removed

08-15-2001, 01:49 PM	#11
Mustang92 Drag Racer! Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Lake Worth, FL USA Posts: 757	What I mean is my first set just where coming loose or at least the bolts needed to be re-tightened. After that they were fine. Currently I have solid steel/aluminum bushings in the back and it transfers all noise inside the car. The driveline lash has always been there on your car but the controls arms make it more noticable. I will say that my new axles and stock 31 spline Ford diff are much more solid overall. I know the sound you are talking about and part of that is your driveline slop. I don't really think there is anyway to get rid of it other than changing out parts.

08-15-2001, 05:02 PM	#12
bark3rd Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: AUSTIN, TX, USA Posts: 91	OK cool, I feel a bit better. I had no idea LCA's would have these side effects. My car does seem to track better, it used to have this twitch when on the highway and now its gone. Also, when launching or gassing it hard from low speeds the car has a bit of a different feel/character. It seems to hook up better (its hard to notice though, I think my 60ft dropped about a 10th but thats it). So its the beefier materials in the aftermarkey LCA's causing transfer of noise? Geesh, I'd hate to see what kind of noise my car would make with extensive suspension mods. Kind of makes me appreciate why manufacturers use what they do when building cars, its not always about cutting costs. ------------------ Black 2000 GT,5 spd,17" wheels,4:10's, HPM Megabite Jr LCA's, Flowmasters, Steeda pulleys, timing adjuster (11 deg), K&N filter, Nitrous Express w/purge (75shot currently),NGK spark plugs (lower heat range than stock plugs), airbox silencer removed

08-17-2001, 08:02 AM	#13
Mustang92 Drag Racer! Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Lake Worth, FL USA Posts: 757	What makes them noisier is the bushings. Stock uses soft rubber bushings which dampen the sound and aftermarket uses either urathane or solid steel/aluminum (like mine) which tranfers all the noise inside the car. Of course the benifit is that it also transfers the power to the ground instead of being absorbed by the stock bushings.