Shredded TH350 tailhousing

[Clifford69]

Some background: about 4 weeks ago I replaced the tailshaft seal and bushing on the transmission because of a leak. There was a very slight vibration but I couldn't seem to track it down. I drive the truck about 50 miles per week max (I live 2 miles from work). My brother was visiting this week and put about 150 miles on the truck in two days. This is the result.

I can easily replace the tailshaft housing but would like to know if there are other things that need to be checked before I button it back up. Should I have the driveshaft checked? Any other ideas?

[Bigdav160]

What's up with that U-joint? It's also coming apart. The snap ring is not in the groove.

I wonder if the u joint didn't cause the tailshaft failure.

[oklalawnboy]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

What's up with that U-joint? It's also coming apart. The snap ring is not in the groove.

I wonder if the u joint didn't cause the tailshaft failure.

My thoughts exactly. I think there is a needle bearing laying crossways in that cap.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

What's up with that U-joint? It's also coming apart. The snap ring is not in the groove.

I wonder if the u joint didn't cause the tailshaft failure.

Good eye! I'm betting the Yoke caused the U-joint failure which trashed the tailshaft housing. Send the driveshaft out for a new yoke, U-Joint and a balance. While you're waiting for that to be done install a new tailshaft housing.

[WIDESIDE72]

Pull the deiveshaft and install new u joints and have it rebalanced before installing a new tail housing. Otherwise you will just ruin another tail housing.

[geezer#99]

Gotta luv those neutral starts!!
Pull the pan while you're there and check for excess metal. THe tailshaft might not be the only damage.

[Lee H]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

Gotta luv those neutral starts!!
Pull the pan while you're there and check for excess metal. THe tailshaft might not be the only damage.

Ha! That's what I was thinking when I saw the picture.

It looks like the drive shaft it totally f'ed up and is the real culprit. That thing needs to go to a drive line shop. I'd be taking the trans for a bench rebuild at a reputable shop.

[Clifford69]

Thanks for all the suggestions/feedback. I'm on vacation this week so now I know what I'll be working on. I'll let you know what I find out once it's all resolved.

[Tx Firefighter]

That driveshaft is some kind of screwed up. On the bearing cap closest to the camera, the snap ring isn't even seated. And on the bearing cap at the top, the grease seal is broken. Plus there's hammer marks all over it. Some guy in the past didn't do too gentle of a u-joint replacement. I'd bet that your driveshaft shop is gonna want to build you a complete new one with new ends. Those look past saving.

Then, you shouldn't break anymore tail housings.

[zeldman]

Not that this caused the failure, but the U- joint is in backwards....that is the grease zerk should be near the shaft, not the yoke. Also, if the U-joint is not centered,and it looks like it isnt, then it will cause a small vibration, which left untreated, could cause a big failure.

[MARKDTN]

Hard to tell from the photo, but could be an issue with pinion angle too.

[marvgarr68]

Same thing happend long ago with my c10 and it was the yoke. It was not in all the way got a differant on and all was fine. This is not the cause of your tail breaking its the ujoint not centered because of improper install of the u joint. I would get a new yoke as it probably has some nice grooves that will eat a new bushing.

[Clifford69]

I took my driveshaft to a shop in Baltimore. They echoed all of your thoughts and said that the rear end was also pretty jacked up too. Instead repairing the driveshaft I paid a bit more and got a new one. Cost $260 but the guy did it on the spot and I walked away 30 minutes later with the new hardware.

I dropped the tranny pan and saw about 1/4 of a dime worth of shavings, with the three largest about the size of a head on a pin. I cleaned it out pretty good and bolted it back up. I don't think there will be any long term damage but time will tell...

Thanks again for all the input I'll post back once I get it all put back together. Let me know if I'm missing anything!

[brad_man_72]

Usually the trans yoke is worn on one side after vibrating bad enough to kill a tailshaft bushing.
Sounds like you got it taken care of and a few people learned a lesson. Always ballance a driveshaft after replacing u-joints. The pro at the driveshaft shop will also spot problems like the improperly inatalled joint before it becomes a huge problem.

[Tx Firefighter]

Post number 12. He already had a completely new driveshaft built.