Well, so much for going 4 wheelin yesterday.... broken driveshaft

[OrangeCrush]

Damn, I got into work this morning after cleaning my truck yesterday. I installed a water sprinkler on the bottom to help clean anything I missed.

Just a few minutes ago, I had to drop a car off for an alignment...well, I was backing out of their parking lot and my driveshaft broke.

Broke the damn yoke right off the front. So much for custom aluminum driveshafts.

I'm on my way to go pick up another one I had made before... though this one is an inch shorter, it'll get me by until I can get a new one.

Hope that's all that happened. I'll post pics later.

Mark

[OrangeCrush]

Damn, I got into work this morning after cleaning my truck yesterday. I installed a water sprinkler on the bottom to help clean anything I missed.

Just a few minutes ago, I had to drop a car off for an alignment...well, I was backing out of their parking lot and my driveshaft broke.

Broke the damn yoke right off the front. So much for custom aluminum driveshafts.

I'm on my way to go pick up another one I had made before... though this one is an inch shorter, it'll get me by until I can get a new one.

Hope that's all that happened. I'll post pics later.

Mark

[HummerNewbie]

Sorry to hear about the driveshaft. At least you got to take it out and get it dirty though.

[CO Hummer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OrangeCrush:
So much for custom aluminum driveshafts.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That seems to be the theme with a lot of 'custom' parts lately.....

[KenP]

That bites.

[OrangeCrush]

Well, here it is. Fortunately, that's all that happened.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/orangecrush03/MISC.jpg

[Ipedog]

That brings the suck... http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif

[DDWH]

That Sucks!

[DRTYFN]

That doesn't look like it's very sturdy.

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DRTYFN:
That doesn't look like it's very sturdy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The shaft is extra thick but it was made out of aluminum. If you look closely, it looks like his weld didn't penetrate into the shaft good enough. (somehow, that whole description just sounded ghey...lol)

I'll have them remake another and make sure this one is extra, extra thick and welded correctly.

Mark

PS. On the bright side, at least it broke AFTER wheelin' and in a parking lot back at home. Don't even want to think of the destruction that could have come with it had it come apart at WOT.

[KenP]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OrangeCrush:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by DRTYFN:
That doesn't look like it's very sturdy. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The shaft is extra thick but it was made out of aluminum. If you look closely, it looks like his weld didn't penetrate into the shaft good enough. (somehow, that whole description just sounded ghey...lol)

I'll have them remake another and make sure this one is extra, extra thick and welded correctly.

Mark

PS. On the bright side, at least it broke AFTER wheelin' and in a parking lot back at home. Don't even want to think of the destruction that could have come with it had it come apart at WOT. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>After you check your Pm's you'll realize you're gonna need a strong one. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

[Ed G.]

An aluminum driveshaft needs to be beefier than that. We have equipment made of aluminum at work,if it's used as a structure or part of a structure it does fine. Any aluminum equipment that takes any kind of stress will eventually fail.(we use 3/16 in. thick stock.)Just my experience.

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ed G.:
An aluminum driveshaft needs to be beefier than that. We have equipment made of aluminum at work,if it's used as a structure or part of a structure it does fine. Any aluminum equipment that takes any kind of stress will eventually fail.(we use 3/16 in. thick stock.)Just my experience. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. We used the aluminum because it was also helping with a drivetrain vibration problem. The company is making a new one with thicker and wider diameter tubing.

Mark

[Dug]

O.C - whats that brown **** on the end of the tube?

[WORKIN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OrangeCrush:
Well, here it is. Fortunately, that's all that happened.

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f279/orangecrush03/MISC.jpg </div></BLOCKQUOTE>
It looks to me as if they are different types of aluminum, which require a special weld process...........

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Dug3x3:
O.C - whats that brown **** on the end of the tube? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Red clay from wheelin' the previous day...

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">
It looks to me as if they are different types of aluminum, which require a special weld process........... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Actually, the aluminum looks different because it's gaulded (sp?) The driveshaft tube spun around the yoke before it came apart.

[2-H2's]

OC,

Just my .02 for what it's worth;

Increase the weld bevel this time...30-45 degrees on each piece.

Make sure the aluminum is 6000 series...aircraft quality.

LC

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by 2-H2's:
OC,

Just my .02 for what it's worth;

Increase the weld bevel this time...30-45 degrees on each piece.

Make sure the aluminum is 6000 series...aircraft quality.

LC </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

LC,

I agree. I mentioned to the driveshaft guy to make sure there was enough contact area and that the weld penetrated this time.

I think after this last upset, he'll make sure it's done right.

Mark

[Dewi2005]

You are correct Orange.. could have happened in a worse place... Glad it did not happen on the trail!

[WORKIN]

Actually, the aluminum looks different because it's gaulded (sp?) The driveshaft tube spun around the yoke before it came apart.[/QUOTE]



correct me if i'm wrong, but the yoke appears to be cast, and the tube i assume is not. so the aluminum's properties are different which accounts for the difficulty in welding, my wife manufactures aircraft engine fins for ge and they have the same problem.

[rodster]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WORKIN:
my wife manufactures aircraft engine fins for ge and they have the same problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I fly a lot. That sucks. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WORKIN:
Actually, the aluminum looks different because it's gaulded (sp?) The driveshaft tube spun around the yoke before it came apart. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



correct me if i'm wrong, but the yoke appears to be cast, and the tube i assume is not. so the aluminum's properties are different which accounts for the difficulty in welding, my wife manufactures aircraft engine fins for ge and they have the same problem.[/QUOTE]

No correction necc. I'm sure it is a different type of aluminum (cast vs billet) I just was thinking a better weld job would have prevented this.

Hopefully they'll get their stuff together for the new one.


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WORKIN:
my wife manufactures aircraft engine fins for ge and they have the same problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I fly a lot. That sucks. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's FUNNY AS ****... I don't care who you are...LOL.

[WORKIN]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by OrangeCrush:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WORKIN:
Actually, the aluminum looks different because it's gaulded (sp?) The driveshaft tube spun around the yoke before it came apart. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>



correct me if i'm wrong, but the yoke appears to be cast, and the tube i assume is not. so the aluminum's properties are different which accounts for the difficulty in welding, my wife manufactures aircraft engine fins for ge and they have the same problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

No correction necc. I'm sure it is a different type of aluminum (cast vs billet) I just was thinking a better weld job would have prevented this.

Hopefully they'll get their stuff together for the new one.


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by rodster:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by WORKIN:
my wife manufactures aircraft engine fins for ge and they have the same problem. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I fly a lot. That sucks. http://www.elcova.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That's FUNNY AS ****... I don't care who you are...LOL.[/QUOTE]
she wont fly eithier, somethin about being low bidder.......lol

[AlamoJim]

welding aluminum is tough enough - but that has
to be 2 different types of aluminum which would be even
tougher (as explained above)...what
possible purpose would you have for going this
(I assume) much more expensive route - that would become
a probable weak link in the drivetrain? I mean sure,
you would save some weight - but at what cost?
is it so you can shine it up and 'bring the bling'?
http://www.billmcgaw.com/images/nobling.gif

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content"> what possible purpose would you have for going this </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The answer is simple. I was having a vibration problem and after remaking, balancing 4 different driveshafts, CV joint driveshafts, the final cure was to make a driveshaft out of aluminum. It took away that last bit of vibration.

Mark

[MovinH2]

Man that sucks. I hope they build ya one this time that holds up much better. The welding is just plain ****.

[AlamoJim]

well I hope they do a much better job of penetrating the weld this time...I agree with the majority - bad welds SUCK...

we had a guy out with us last time at the den, same thing happened - driveshaft just came apart on the first obstacle.

[OrangeCrush]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by AlamoJim:
well I hope they do a much better job of penetrating the weld this time...I agree with the majority - bad welds SUCK...

we had a guy out with us last time at the den, same thing happened - driveshaft just came apart on the first obstacle. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Definitely agree... it sucks. Funny thing is I went on my first off road wheelin (mud slinging and hill climb, not rocks) and went through the entire thing with no problems.

The next day after it was cleaned, I had to drop a customer's car off for an alignment about a block away (after I had driven over 100 miles)

I was backing out of the alignment place and the driveshaft broke loose there. (about 1/2 mile from my shop)

Luckily it didn't come apart waaay up on top of one of those hills.

Hopefully they'll get it right this time.

Mark