Perhaps she's not a goner after all..

[ValiantBandit]

Following encouragement from my brother-in-law on the east coast who has a '75 Plymouth Valiant, I removed the driveshaft out of my Valiant and sure enough, the output shaft freely spun when it was put in drive and reverse.

The driveshaft is in normal condition as well. The spline looks perfect, except there's several dark marks on the part of the shaft right after the spline that's inside out the output shaft.

So would this be a result of a seized output shaft bearing or something else?

 

[clhyer]

Not sure exactly what you are asking about...
Does the car not move? Are you concerned about the dark marks?
A pic wouldn't be a bad thing either.
C

 

[ValiantBandit]

Not sure exactly what you are asking about...
Does the car not move? Are you concerned about the dark marks?
A pic wouldn't be a bad thing either.
C

I'm trying to get pictures on here lol...It's a process since I no longer have a computer. I guess what I'm trying to say is I instantaneously freaked out and thought horrific things happened inside of the transmission and thought the car was a goner so she sat in my garage untouched since yesterday.

Following my brother in law's advice, I removed the whole driveshaft, started the car, put her in drive and sure enough, the output shaft was freely spinning, even in reverse. Well I was happy about that since I figure it's not the transmission that's at fault.

I then took a look at the whole driveshaft and was quite perplexed as the sliding yoke looked to be in normal condition. The teeth inside of the shaft were perfect, the u joints looked perfect on both sides.

I figured maybe the yoke just popped out, so today I re-installed the driveshaft and STILL the car doesn't move and I didn't hear the transmission engage in any gear.

I'm just curious to know what could cause the driveshaft to not spin, where I should look next and so forth.

 

[clhyer]

OK, so you put the car in gear and it doesn't move.
Is it an auto or manual?
Column shift or floor shift?
Your brother in law has a '75 Valiant, what are you working/having problems on?

When you put the car in gear and it doesn't move, does it try to move? Does it make any noises?
We can probably come up with a hundred different things to check, but if you give us a little more info we might can narrow it down some.
For instance, is your emergency brake on?
When you put it in gear and the car doesn't move, how much gas are you giving it?
C

 

[needsaresto]

Jack up the rear ,and spin the tires. If no go,you have found your problem.Especially if you have a 7 1/4 diff....

 

[ValiantBandit]

OK, so you put the car in gear and it doesn't move.
Is it an auto or manual?
Column shift or floor shift?
Your brother in law has a '75 Valiant, what are you working/having problems on?

When you put the car in gear and it doesn't move, does it try to move? Does it make any noises?
We can probably come up with a hundred different things to check, but if you give us a little more info we might can narrow it down some.
For instance, is your emergency brake on?
When you put it in gear and the car doesn't move, how much gas are you giving it?
C

Ah yes that might be helpful. This is for my own car, my 1976 Valiant, automatic, a904, column shift. I only mentioned my brother in law because he has a 75 Valiant and he was trying to encourage me to at least go out and take a look at the car...lol

My car doesn't try to move at all. There's no noises whatsoever, I know for a fact the emergency brake isn't on - I checked that before anything and I'm giving it a good amount of gas to move. When I put the car in gear there literally is no noise comming at all from the tranny or driveshaft, it's almost as if the car was in neutral except for the fact the idle goes down a little bit when it's in gear.

I really don't get it...AT ALL.

 

[mopar410]

Also make sure it is completely full of fluid.

 

[Robbie2734]

It's really a simple problem, if the drive shaft is spinning when it's in gear and the car doesn't move it's the rear end. If the drive shaft isn't spinning when it's in gear it's the transmission. Now go test it and let us know.

 

[mopar410]

It's really a simple problem, if the drive shaft is spinning when it's in gear and the car doesn't move it's the rear end. If the drive shaft isn't spinning when it's in gear it's the transmission. Now go test it and let us know.

True but without any resistance the shaft could turn some if it was low of fluid.the OP should be able to tell if it is free spinning(revving very quickly) or is laboring to accelerate(rear end locked up) when he has it in gear and hitting the pedal.

 

[cosgig]

The lad has another thread where he chronicles the events that led up to this problem. He was driving along, the car seemed to be laboring, he heard a screech and them poof, the car would not move. I agree that if the car is jacked up and the driveshaft spins at all then it is probably in the rearend. However, the screeching noise to me indicates that the trans let go, or the converter. Maybe the bolts sheered off the converter, who knows?? I agree with the gang, more info and checking around on your part will eliminate a bunch of possibilities, and pictures would help also. In your other thread you mention that the front yoke was out of the tailshaft by about 4"....was it always like that?? Did you just notice this or has something changed. IMO, there is nothing wrong in the driveshaft dept. other than it should be in the tailshaft farther, but if it is no different than it ever was then eliminate that as a possible problem, there is no way it could come out of the tailshaft. Geof

 

[ValiantBandit]

The lad has another thread where he chronicles the events that led up to this problem. He was driving along, the car seemed to be laboring, he heard a screech and them poof, the car would not move. I agree that if the car is jacked up and the driveshaft spins at all then it is probably in the rearend. However, the screeching noise to me indicates that the trans let go, or the converter. Maybe the bolts sheered off the converter, who knows?? I agree with the gang, more info and checking around on your part will eliminate a bunch of possibilities, and pictures would help also. In your other thread you mention that the front yoke was out of the tailshaft by about 4"....was it always like that?? Did you just notice this or has something changed. IMO, there is nothing wrong in the driveshaft dept. other than it should be in the tailshaft farther, but if it is no different than it ever was then eliminate that as a possible problem, there is no way it could come out of the tailshaft. Geof

Thanks for letting the guys know about the other post I had. There was no way that shaft was that far out before because I DEFINITELY would've noticed it. And I also agree with you about there being no problem in the driveshaft department, it was just my brother in law swore up and down that the driveshaft would be the culprit.

Also make sure it is completely full of fluid.

It's full of fluid still. I checked before I did anything.

It's really a simple problem, if the drive shaft is spinning when it's in gear and the car doesn't move it's the rear end. If the drive shaft isn't spinning when it's in gear it's the transmission. Now go test it and let us know.

I know it's a simple problem, I just go blank when it comes to my car just like a Doctor freaks out when their child is sick. I completely shut down and the simplest of things "baffle" me. Not a good trait to have lol. But yes I shall jack the car up tomorrow and see if the tyres spin.

 

[cosgig]

I'm leaning towards a trans problem myself.

I have a car with a 904 that has a trans problem. If I put it in gear it will move, but if I give it gas at all the trans "screeches", ut will accelerate at idle until it shifts to second. If, after it shifts to second, I lightly gas it, it will pick up speed without problem and shift into drive also with no problem, although all under minimal acceleration. My problem could be similar to yours due to the screeching. I believe my problem is that the low/reverse band is worn to the point where a trip into the trans is the only repair!!
Could this be related to your problem?? I offer that it may!!

Now, if I were you, and it sounds like you have a good understanding of how things are under your car, and could detect something amiss!! Therefore, I would spend some time under there. Take off the inspection cover and check the converter bolts...jack it up and check things as mentioned above, and most of all look for any evidence that something happened. Something like a fluid leak, rounded heads on a bolt or something of that nature. Take the rear wheels off the car and remove the drums before you turn the rearend and listen and feel how it's spinning. Grinding, end play on the axles, anything in the drivetrain that is suspect should be checked before opening anything up or assuming that it is something that it may not be, costing you $$ and time!!

Just trying to help and by no means a trans expert, I just spend a lot of time under my cars. Heck I was even thinking about throwing out the matress in the bedroom and just sleeping on cardboard!! Good luck and report back!! Geof