Drivetrain troubles.............

[jaak]

I took the '73 for a spin last night (first time in a month or so), I was going down the road and I heard a loud pop, and it literally felt like someone slamed on the brakes. I got it pulled off on the side of the road, and the car will NOT move. If you give it enough gas while letting off the clutch it will sorta drag itself (making a clunking noise). But if you put the car in neutral you cannot push it....feels like the brake is on. Alright this morning I jack up the rear of the car to check it out, and you can spin both rear tires fine.....so I get in (while the back is still jacked up) crank it up, put it in reverse, and as soon as I let off the clutch...the rear wheel locks up and the car went dead. Initally I thought it might be something in the rear end, but now I'm thinking it may be something broke in the transmission. Any thoughts on what it might be, should I start at the trans first? The last couple of times I drove it prior to last night I have heard a whinning noise....It sounded like it was coming from the rear, but really it is hard to tell inside the car. I've been meaning to check that out.....looks like I gotta fix it now.
Any help/advise is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[72 Charger SE]

I would probably start with the rear end first, just because I think it will be quicker to confirm or eliminate it as the problem. Was your driveshaft spinning when you rotated the tires? Did the tires rotate freely both directions?

I had a somewhat similar situation 20+ years ago when a pinion nut came loose and allowed the pinion gear to slide backward into the differential and lock up against the ring gear carrier. Car would go backwards with effort, but lock up going forward IIRC. All of this was preceded by a whining/grinding sound as the pinion gear worked its way loose and began rubbing the carrier.

I'm not saying this is your problem, but it should be easy to check by dropping the driveline.

 

[Elvad]

Yeah, sounds like the rear end. If its not an 8 3/4 that would be my first guess too. I call them 'potato chip' rear ends because they go crunch, especially with a standard tranny.

 

[jaak]

yes I forgot to mention, it does have an 8 3/4 rear in it.

Jason

 

[scotts74birds]

Drop the prop shaft and isolate it.