Transmission Question

[Mosesatm]

If I were to remove the driveline and try to wobble the transmission output shaft should it wobble freely?

I recently had a brake adjusting cable snap and that somehow seems to have caused the brake shoes to adjust outward, putting pressure on the drum. I drove it like this for at least 20 miles on a very windy day so I thought the car's weird movements were caused by the wind.

Luckily, I hit a huge pot hole on the way home and figured I should put the car on stands to see if I bent a wheel. When I tried to spin the left rear wheel by hand it wouldn't move at all. Uh oh, that certainly can't be good.

After removing the drums and spinning the axles I could hear a squeeking sound coming from the rear of the transmission, like the driveline rubbing against the rear transmission seal. But it would only squeek when I turned the axles one way but not the other. Weird.

I pulled the driveline and ran my finger along the seal to see if it had any debris on it and that's when I noticed that the transmission shaft wobbles more than I think it should.

Could the stuck brake have overloaded and toasted something in the transmission, with the loose end-shaft being the result, or do they all wobble? The stuck brake would be like towing a mobile home for 20 miles at 70mph. Can a little C4 handle that kind of abuse? I suppose that didn't do the new rear end gears any good either.

BTW, 2 words of advice, also known as, "Don't do these stupid things I did."

1. Do not remove the speedometer gear from the transmission by pulling on the speedometer cable, unless you wanted to replace the cable anyway.

2. When removing a 3rd member don't forget to remove the little tiny teeny weeny invisible stupid copper crush washers from around the studs. I swear they were originally installed by evil line mechanics with a sick sense of humor whose kids ended up working for Microsoft, inheriting the same sense of humor.

No, it has not been a good week!

 

[franklinair]

Front universal joint is bad. Hope you didn't damage the transmission tailshaft or toast the brake linings. A C-4 should hold up well under load.

Neil

 

[rvrtrash]

Arlie, there is a bushing in the transmission tailshaft that does wear after many thousands of miles and that might be causing your problem. The yoke should be tight in the back of the tranny. You can undo 4 bolts if I recall, and remove the tailshaft (drain fluid first or you WILL drain it when you crack the tailshaft seal) and take the tailshaft into a tranny shop to press in a new bushing and seal. Good luck.

Steve

 

[Timmknz]

Thanks for the idiots guide to GTCS repair Arlie. Unfortunately, I think I have already put out the first edition, so we'll have to check on copyright info...
Killed my speedo cable about 2 weeks ago,
Tim

 

[robert campbell]

Arlie,
5 bolts and yes a bunch of ATF. Nothing slicker or messier!!! Need to disconnect the speedo cable.

Very easy to replace yourself at home. But it should cost nearly nothing to have a shop press it in. Need to buy the rear seal/bushing kit. If you go to the tranny shop, take your driveline and yoke with you. Not common, but the yoke itself can show signs of wear over the years. May need to replace it also. Not nearly as common as the bushing is aluminum and wears out much quicker. Even crankshaft steel wears out where the aluminum bearings contact it!

Rob