U-Joint breaks/puddle of transmission fluid

[DAVID TEMPEST]

An absolutely wonderful day turned to crap in 3 seconds. I was cruising down the road and heard a boom followed by seeing smoke. I limped into a driveway, got under the car and saw the driveshaft resting on the brace (thankfully). While waiting for a tow truck I notice a big puddle of transmission fluid. What happened guys???

 

[Lefty71]

It broke, it leaked, it burned on the exhaust. Welcome to the group.

 

[Dave6T4]

It likely lost a u-joint bearing cap, putting the drive shaft out of balance. This may have cracked/broken the tailshaft housing. Or, if the slip joint is completely out of the transmission, fluid can just drain out here.

 

[dadsbee]

Sorry to hear, but an interesting way to have to join the forum! Help us out as our crystal balls are dusty. Make, model, drivetrain and PICTURES!

 

[Runner 68]

Sorry to hear, but an interesting way to have to join the forum! Help us out as our crystal balls are dusty. Make, model, drivetrain and PICTURES!

I don't know about you Dad but my balls get polished fairly regularly.
Not sure that will help with the year make and model though.

 

[IQ52]

Did you clean the oil out of the other fellow's driveway?

 

[Cranky]

An absolutely wonderful day turned to crap in 3 seconds. I was cruising down the road and heard a boom followed by seeing smoke. I limped into a driveway, got under the car and saw the driveshaft resting on the brace (thankfully). While waiting for a tow truck I notice a big puddle of transmission fluid. What happened guys???

Tough crowd here sometimes lol. Need to inspect the tail shaft of the trans. Like mentioned, if the slip yoke came out, fluid can leak out at the end of the tail shaft but it's also possible the boom caused the tail shaft housing to crack and leak along that too....as previously mentioned. Time to crawl under it with a bright light and take some rags under there too. Welcome to the site!

 

[67440chrg]

Welcome, I hope it is a simple fix maybe just the rear seal or the yoke slid out enough to leak.

 

[Gunner1]

Just bought mine. On the 100 mile drive home the driveshaft started vibrating hard and then smoke filled the rear view mirror. Towed it the rest of the way home. Found out the shaft was 2 inches too short and took out the tailcone. It's at Art Carrs shop right now getting a rebuilt with good parts and new right length shaft.

 

[MIKESPOLARA]

Just bought mine. On the 100 mile drive home the driveshaft started vibrating hard and then smoke filled the rear view mirror. Towed it the rest of the way home. Found out the shaft was 2 inches too short and took out the tailcone. It's at Art Carrs shop right now getting a rebuilt with good parts and new right length shaft.

Yours is a 63, it should have a ball and socket not a U joint, unless some got U joints in 63?

 

[QuickBpBp]

Seems like a post and run... Probably had one hell of a vibration before letting loose..

 

[Gunner1]

Yours is a 63, it should have a ball and socket not a U joint, unless some got U joints in 63?

It was a small block that got switched to a 440/727. It has U Joints on both ends. Im just too old to climb under to check it out.

 

[MIKESPOLARA]

It was a small block that got switched to a 440/727. It has U Joints on both ends. Im just too old to climb under to check it out.

OK, then it's obviously newer then 63 trans

 

[Butch Harley]

I had a u-joint only getting grease to 3 joint go figure

 

[BDF6]

Welcome to FBBO!

 

[Cranky]

An absolutely wonderful day turned to crap in 3 seconds. I was cruising down the road and heard a boom followed by seeing smoke. I limped into a driveway, got under the car and saw the driveshaft resting on the brace (thankfully). While waiting for a tow truck I notice a big puddle of transmission fluid. What happened guys???

One post and gone? What happened........