I think I nearly broke a halfshaft

**Grin&Barrett** · 12-26-2002, 09:01 PM

I tried racing a Vette this morning and as I hit the gas to jump the line, my tires spun and I began experiencing some violent wheel hop. I let off the gas immediately and shifted to second but I had a lot of smoke (hopefully all from the tires) and heard a loud grinding noise. It seemed to ride fine the rest of the way home but I am wondering if I have done any damage to the halfshaft. I have no mods, purely bone stock. Has anyone else had this problem, I am pretty concerned about it.

**Tim Probst** · 12-27-2002, 06:31 AM

I don't think you where hearing the half shafts. They bust, that's it, I've never seen one just get a little damage and still work. All of them that I've seen, and I've seen a lot of them, just snap! I'm just guessing but you may have hear you Clutch or Throw out bearing.

Tim

**XFIRECHIEF** · 12-27-2002, 06:32 AM

Please, be careful out there. Racing should be on the strip. I have a 2003 Cobra too & I realize thats its hard sometimes not to race someone but do it on the track. Think about the guy pulling out of the parking lot with his family in the car that you will hit! If not this time maybe the next time or the next? What message does give about our SVTOA Members. I don't mean to preach but being in the Fire Service for 33 years I've seen most everything in accidents that involved street racing. Its not any fun when you're on the other end doing the rescue work.

**Beabout** · 12-27-2002, 01:11 PM

Street racing is not only crimminal and insane it can result in someone else paying the price for cheap thrills. Please, drive safely.

**Grin&Barrett** · 12-28-2002, 08:19 AM

Thanks for all the concern beabout and firechief...however you didn't answer my question, did you? I guess this site is more concerned with scolding people rather than helping them.

**XFIRECHIEF** · 12-28-2002, 08:39 AM

Really, I don't want to scold anyone. Just wanted to bring up a safety issue. WE are very concerned too. Just have our concerns in a different place.
As for the 1/2 shaft, check the u joints, could be cracked & went back into place till the next jump start. At the drag strip WE hope.

**dwtalso** · 12-28-2002, 09:55 AM

Originally posted by Grin&Barrett
I tried racing a Vette this morning and as I hit the gas to jump the line, my tires spun and I began experiencing some violent wheel hop. I let off the gas immediately and shifted to second but I had a lot of smoke (hopefully all from the tires) and heard a loud grinding noise. It seemed to ride fine the rest of the way home but I am wondering if I have done any damage to the halfshaft. I have no mods, purely bone stock. Has anyone else had this problem, I am pretty concerned about it.

Are ya sure ya didn't grind second

? Seriously, if it came from the rear I'd get under there just to look around. Like chief noted, could be u-joints. Might have rubbed something on the squat during the shift. It's hard to tell. But a half-shaft just breaks. Similarly, if the rear pinion or gears start grinding they don't stop.

Could it have been wheel hop? I've noted that a slight hop feels and sounds a little like a grind.

Don't worry about the lectures

. Just nod and roger out

. But do play it safe out there

.

**Grin&Barrett** · 12-28-2002, 12:55 PM

Thanks for the advice dwt. I did take a look at the u-joints as per firechiefs suggestion and didn't see anything wrong. I don't ever race to tell the truth that was the first time I had ever even tried that (which probably explains why I did nothing but smoke the tires), but firechief and bea acted as though I were public enemy #1 and I had to respond. I definately experienced wheel hop though and that was not a fun feeling, I'll probably replace the bushings in the near future just to be safe.

**CLUTCH** · 12-30-2002, 02:05 PM

Originally posted by Grin&Barrett
Thanks for the advice dwt. I did take a look at the u-joints as per firechiefs suggestion and didn't see anything wrong. I don't ever race to tell the truth that was the first time I had ever even tried that (which probably explains why I did nothing but smoke the tires), but firechief and bea acted as though I were public enemy #1 and I had to respond. I definately experienced wheel hop though and that was not a fun feeling, I'll probably replace the bushings in the near future just to be safe.

RACING SOME ONE EVERY ONCE IN AWILE IN MY OPINION IS NOT THAT BAD. BUT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW EXPIERENCED THE OTHER DRIVER IS, HE MAY CRASH INTO YOU. RACING ON THE FREEWAY @ 120 + IS NOT COOL @ ALL, BUT A STOP LIGHT 0-60/80 WHEN -NO PEDESTRENS- ARE AROUND IS NOT EXTREMLY DANGEROUS. IM A FIRM BELIEVER IN BETTER TO BE SAFE THEN SORRY, THAT BEING SAID I THINK I SPEAK FOR EVERBODY WHEN I SAY THAT WERE SUPOSE TO HAVE FUN IN THESE CARS WITH SAFTY BEING THE FIRST CONCERN

**Waltman** · 12-30-2002, 02:26 PM

G&B

One question: Was Traction Control ON or OFF?

**Grin&Barrett** · 12-30-2002, 09:40 PM

Traction control was off. I never forget to shut that thing off. I agree clutch, you don't buy this car to cruise around at 35 everywhere you go.

**Waltman** · 12-30-2002, 11:43 PM

G&B

Thanks for the reply. Here's another one for you. Don't feel you are the only one trying to race on the street.

One Sunday afternoon, as I was coming home with lunch for my daugters, cruising at 35, stopped at the red light and pondering the low miles in my Cobra and what a lovely day it was. As the green light came up I gave it gas suddenly I heard a huge roar of another car coming out of the line, instinctively I floored it, 6000 RPM, bam, 2nd 5500 rpm, bam, 3rd, 4500 RPM, fourth and floored it to the next light (brakes are outstanding), the other car (an M3) pulled behind me, he gave me the thumbs up, and yelled at me: "I didn't realize it was the new Cobra, I thought it was the cheap Mustang". I didn't know how to take it, as an insult or praise. I just waived back and roared to the next light, he either couldn't make it, or gave up.

Just a couple of days ago I pulled next to an "oldie muscle mustang", you can tell, fat rear tires, rear lifted, chrome wheels, loud pipes, big tach, white guy with baseball cap, muscle t-shirt. As I pulled next to him, we looked at each other, smiled and he recognized the Cobra, we both roared the stangs, green light, I gave it gas but not floored it, yet it was enough to show that he had no chance, he lagged behind, sure enough next light came up, We both were laughing, so as a show-off, this time I really floored it man, hit the red line on 1st gear, I felt the rear wheel hop, but car reamined steady and straight, felt the rev limiter kicking in, quickly shifted to second and kept on going.

Coming from lunch with my two bosses (one of them drives a turbo Beetle, the other a very old Land Cruiser) there is a nice long stretch of road near LAX, with three big guys full size passengers (yes the rear seat works) I gave it on 5th up to 125 mph, and barely 4500 RPMS, held it for a few seconds at that speed (no cops)

. But what amazed them most of all was the smoothness of the engine and easeness the car came to a stop as we approached the red light. All these little silly games with Traction Control ON.

Just the other day on a cold morning, it had rained the night before, as the green light came up I gave it enough gas to go fast, suddenly I was going sideways, (I thought this is it) I felt myself like a moron, you can imagine what the other drivers were thinking. Mercifully the car straightened up and drove just fast enough so the other drivers would not catch me up

. This time I had TC off.

And no,nothing has broken, the car goes fast when I want it to. I wonder if TC is related to your problem?

And to close, I agree, racing on the street is STUPID plain and simple, specially if you have no experience, but you know, if you got it you gotta use it.

**Grin&Barrett** · 12-31-2002, 04:47 AM

Nice kills Waltman. I'm surprised to hear about the TC. my car has just shut down whenever I get on the gas with the TC on. So I just shut it off every time now. I Never drive it in inclement weather so I dont have to worry. Have you made any mods Waltman, and if so what are they?

**Elapidae** · 12-31-2002, 08:37 AM

Check the rear end. See if you have any leaks and make sure it's got fluid in it. There are a couple of 03's in the area that have had problems with the rear end being bone dry (perhaps from the factory).