Problems in T4 Rear end

[godale03]

Hey guys,

I am not sure what caused this. I stripped out my left wheel as well as my spur gear. It happened all at the same time. I had all the wheels tight. The truck made it through all but the last 30 seconds of a 5 minute run. When it went it went big. When I got back to the pits my wheel was loose, but the bolt was tight. It doesn't appear that the trans has any damage. The slipper is tight. Could it just be a bad wheel or could I have another issue?

Tom

 

[Rolex]

It sounds like it took a good shock. Could you have locked something up just for an instant with a small rock or piece of gravel? I've seen it happen. Sometimes it stays in there and you know what caused it, and sometimes it gets tossed out.
The other possibility is that your slipper was TOO tight, and couldn't slip off the shock that ran through it.

 

[godale03]

It sounds like it took a good shock. Could you have locked something up just for an instant with a small rock or piece of gravel? I've seen it happen. Sometimes it stays in there and you know what caused it, and sometimes it gets tossed out.
The other possibility is that your slipper was TOO tight, and couldn't slip off the shock that ran through it.

That is very possible. I took everthing apart and looked at it closely last night and it does appear that maybe something did get inside the cover and into the spur. I noticed that my diff was a little loose as well. Not too bad.. about 2 turns and it was tight again. I noticed that my spur had made contact with the inside of the gear cover too. I took a shot in the rear during the race, which I figure is the reason for the spur making contact with the cover. Just before I lost everything I did notice a grining sound coming from the car, but I was only 30 seconds from finishing the race so I figured I would drive it till she blows! LOL My slipper was two turns out from tight. Weird... I guess it is what it is. My diff seems good though which was something I thought would be damaged as well.

How do you guys test your diff to make sure it is good? I just rotate it listening and feeling for anything out of the ordinary.

 

[Rolex]

I just rotate it listening and feeling for anything out of the ordinary.

That's basically it. Either you feel and hear the early warning signs during basic checkups, or you have an instant unexpected failure due to something you'll NEVER figure out. We've all been there.

 

[godale03]

instant unexpected failure due to something you'll NEVER figure out. We've all been there.

This is the most frustrating part. I have the parts failure... but no solid evidence as to why. Like you said.. I guess I have no other choice but to replace the broken parts and move on. Thanks for the input my friend.


Hey Rolex.. you know the worst part was that I was running second when the parts gave way... I was making up ground on the leader too. I guess that is the way it goes sometime.

Tom

 

[Rolex]

I was running second when the parts gave way... I was making up ground on the leader too.

It's happened to the big guys at Daytona, too.

 

[FastEddy]

When all is repaired, make sure your slipper is set properly. Its designed to give a bit and relieve any hard impact and torque that is passed along the drive train.

 

[godale03]

Hey Rolex.. ain't that the truth. I can't count how many times I have watched a stock car break something while in the lead or running really well. I was just so close to winning my first race.. a club race, but it was a race none the less. LOL

Hey Fast Ed... on a truck like that what is the ideal slipper setting? I had mine two and a half turns from tight. I was slipping for about 6 inches before the tires really hooked up.

Thanks again guys!

 

[Rolex]

That's kind of odd. It sure sounds like there was more than enough slip there.
When you break it down, check the bearings. I once had a diff strip out suddenly, and when I took it apart, I saw that the bearing had seized, and while it was spinning on the axle, it was melting the plastic housing till it backed out far enough to waste the gears. No warning there either, and it was on a big banked oval running flat out.

 

[godale03]

I will check that out my friend. Thank you for the advice. This is so strange... usually when something breaks I know exactly what caused it... usually me! , but this time it is driving me nuts. I will take the diff apart and check it really well. I have it out of the truck.. just not completely apart yet.