bd0nalds0n

It was on my 944, driving in New York City. No clicking (that I was aware of) leading up to failure, which is unusual because in the past I've had advance warning of CV pending-failure and have been able to replace the failing unit before being stranded.

I don't remember whether it was inner or outer, because it was dark when it happened and I couldn't see whether the halfshaft was spinning or not with the car in gear. I had the car towed and fixed--my first thought was that I had broken a ring/pinion (again) but got off lucky.

BTW, I would check the left side first--that's the side that always failed in my 944, I guess because of the additional heat from the exhaust.

Hope its not something that requires major surgery.

Walt Lorcheim

Hi Everyone! Just a quick update. I've had lots of things go on since my last update, none of them involving my sick 928. My new friend Larry McAfee, new 928 owner, who lives a few minutes away diagnosed the problem. It was as everyone suggested the torque tube. Priorites left me little chance to work on the car weeks ago. I had hoped to finish it so I could attend SITM, but today all hopes were dashed as this was really a big undertaking all by myself without expert help. Luckily, I can utilized my auto craft shop on Redstone Arsenal. I began work on the car at about 11 today and called it a day about 9:30 this evening. The writeup that International recommends has been my guide even though I had the shop manual handy. Everything has gone extremely well thus far, but I'm little gunshy about dropping the suspension and trans. My car is on a lift so I have to use transmission stands. My brain started to turn to mush about 8:30 so I decided I'd wait until tomorrow. If anyone has any other pictures or helpful hints in unbolting the suspension please let me know. By the way the driveshaft sheared in front of the torque converter. Thanks

Bill Ball

Sorry to hear my suspicions proved true. Amazing how these sturdy shafts give up for no apparent reason in cars that were not abused.

I did not pull the rear suspension, but most others did it that way. Tony Harkin has a writeup...
http://members.rennlist.com/v1uhoh/torque.htm

Others should pipe in with further assistance.

Walt Lorcheim

Bill, I reviewed what you did with Matt. It makes sense to me to do it that way, but I'm trying to be extra careful as I don't want to break anything else then have to wait several days for a replacement. Do you think I can do it your way even though the break is in the rear instead of the front? I followed your advice and bought the TC bearings along with the TT. Walt

SharkSkin

Bill, I have some pics from that day... maybe we should get together on that writeup before we forget what we did.

Bill Ball

Walt: Break at front or rear makes no difference. I will PM you my phone number if you run into any issues.

Dave: I started a write up. We do need to finish it. Any time.

Bill Ball

I just got off the phone with Walt. He's well into the job. It's fascinating to learn this car is a 91 with less than 50K miles, hardly driven and never raced, and the shaft snaps doing nothing particulary stressfull pulling into a gas station. Matt's is a 91 as well. The fact that the shaft can fail catastrophically just driving around the block in low mileage cars is very puzzling.

SharkSkin

Bill, I can send the pics, as for getting together, it's all I can do to keep SATL on the calendar -- we're moving this month, so I'm not going to have a ton of free time. Since you work down this way maybe we can get together over lunch during the week.

Bill Ball

Dave:

Size the pics down to 640x480 and send them to my gmail account. I think you can go 10MB per message.

billball@gmail.com

We can probably do this by me putting up a temporary webpage and us sending each other edits by email.

edco

Walt,

I have some photos as well, feel free to contact me if you have questions.

Bill any thoughts on using the early TT like we did?

Check in with us as you go

Matt

Bill Ball

Walt got his TT from 928Intl. He hadn't opened the box when I talked with him to see if it is an early shaft or not. He does not have the shim pack, so either way he will be installing it like a later shaft for now.

Walt Lorcheim

It's been a fun day at the autocraft shop. Bill and I chatted early this morning as to how to approach removing the TT. I started down the conventional path, but Bill's expertise saved the day. Late this afternoon I got the TT out. I was elated as those last top two bolts connecting the TT to the TC requires a lot of patience. Had to consult with Bill on strategy. It worked, 3 feet of 1/2" inch extensions do the trick and an extra set of hands. I've attached some photos of the broken shaft.

http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/sh...view_copy1.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/sh...fttop_view.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/br...o_tc_copy1.jpg
http://forums.rennlist.com/upload/sh...e_tt_copy1.jpg

SharkSkin

Great idea... pics sent.

Bill Ball

Great, Dave. I have a draft in the works. Maybe a first viewing later tonight.

SharkSkin

Cool, I'll keep my eyes peeled...