Has anyone ever broke a drive shaft before?

[Qualitywires.com]

Has anyone ever borke a drive shaft? I heard of half shafts breaking, but I never heard of drive shafts failing. Anyone have any experience with this? I seen over 1000Rwhp cars and was wonder if the drive shaft can handle it?

 

[PBJ]

Yes, I ripped the end off of my driveshaft. I broke the diff case, twisted both half shafts, and broke the tail shaft off of my trans all on one pass. I think the diff crossmember broke which put the diff in a weird angle and that got the ball rolling for all of the broken parts. So yes, they do break, and it is not a pretty sight when it does happen.
Later,
Joe

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Joe,

What kind of power did you have?

How did your diff cross break? That's pretty tough! If your diff cross didn't break do you think the drive shaft would have broken?

 

[PBJ]

AB,
I made 641 and 820 before that race. I don't know if it would have broke or not...it was a strange chain of events. I have never heard of anyone else breaking a driveshaft other than me. As far as how, who knows. I twisted 2 halfshafts at home the weekend before the race and then that happened in Bowling Green.
Later,
Joe

 

[Qualitywires.com]

That power was made with Nitrous right? Maybe the power coming on so hard did you in? Well, I think I will bemaking some custom drive shafts loops and half shaft loops just to be on the safe side.

 

[Sonny 00 GTS ACR]

I have broken two driveshafts roadracing with a stock motor. I use a racing clutch and rear end (stock gear ratio) and Hoosier slicks so that will put more of a load on the entire drivetrain.

Inspect the welds and look for cracks as that appeared to be the problem with mine. I noticed some discoloration which indicated that the crack had been there for a while.

Since we have started an inspection/replacement program, we haven't had any more problems. Reliability is very important so once you can identify issues/weak links and address them, life gets better.