Re: [Chrysler300] Sudden drive train lock-up

This is a good point. I could not have moved the car +/- 7 feet without hitting the rear wall and the garage door.I think it was more like 2 or 3 feet I moved before it locked up. But if the input pinion was stopping on something (pin) it wouldn’t even make 1 revolution of the pinion, which might be 1/3 of a tire revolution, which might be just a couple of feet. (It turns freely now continuously in either direction).

Yes, it is limited slip, and that was locked up by sitting a couple of years ago and made a horrible racket when I tried to turn (not unlike this current episode). I drained all the diff oil and put the correct oil in it with Mopar correct (for this limited slip) additive. I took it to a vacant parking lot and turned figure 8’s and it eventually smoothed out and has never been a problem since. That very well could be related. I agree about power testing until I understand the problem. It was suggested that I put it in gear on the jack stands earlier, but I didn’t for that reason. I am confident that although I may have a failure somewhere, I haven’t done anything to break it-yet.

When I get the driveshaft back in, I will try pushing it back and forth and see if it locks up. It did stop squarely in both directions, the rear wheels seemed to lock up simultaneously. I wasn’t moving fast so nothing skidded-it just stopped immediately. Real immediately!

I have both a transmission jack and a floor jack. I am accustomed to using the floor jack for dropping my Jaguar IRS, but this center section is a much smaller chunk so I may have to strap it to the tranny jack.

I really appreciate your help!

Thanks, MIke

On Nov 2, 2015, at 7:33 AM, EMills_ATC <millserat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

One revolution of tire would be about 7 feet +/-. So if it goes about 6 to 7 feet in each direction before locking up, I'd be looking at something jamming up differential. Maybe less distance depending on what is broken inside. Is diff Limited Slip? I would be careful about further diagnostics under power - may do more damage. Does it happen when rolling car by hand in neutral?

Center chunk can be removed - heavy but can be handled - did it when I was a kid but would use something to support weight these days - smarter and not as strong.

If one side only, maybe brake on that side, but I doubt both brakes would lock up at same point. Push with steering wheel turned - then repeat opposite direction - is it different left vs right?

If you are ambitious - disconnect drive shaft and push - does it still lock up - if so you have isolated to diff / axle / rear brakes. But I'm leaning that way anyway. Broken tooth or pin jammed in ring gear as someone else suggested would be my bet.

Edward Mills Antique Tractors 1930-1960 Antique Cars 1960-1985

On 11/2/2015 9:05 AM, Michael Moore mmoore8425@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300] wrote:

Thank You Marshall for your help!

Mike Moore

On Nov 2, 2015, at 7:01 AM, 'mgoodknight@xxxxxxxx' mgoodknight@xxxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Too much guess work, Mike. Be more thorough in your diagnostics before taking things apart. You're working waaaay too hard!
--------Marshall
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "Michael Moore mmoore8425@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]" <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: David Schwandt <finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Ray Jones <1970hurst@xxxxxxxxx>, Chrysler 300 List <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Sudden drive train lock-up
Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2015 06:34:32 -0800

David,

Also, I am going to check in my factory shop manual, but I am considering pulling out the center section only and leaving everything else in the car.

I had the tapered hubs off last year, and I have the tools to pull those properly. Do you know how the axles are locked in? I am assuming I must pull both axles to get the center sec tion out.

Thanks Mike Moore

300H

On Nov 2, 2015, at 6:12 AM, David Schwandt <finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Quite a bit!!

More than you would want to try and load by your (my) self anyway!!

Good luck and keep us posted , Okay??

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Michael Moore mmoore8425@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Monday, November 02, 2015 7:51 AM
To: David Schwandt
Cc: Ray Jones; Chrysler 300 List
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Sudden drive train lock-up

No David, I have not. I am going to talk to a local machine shop which specializes in drive train work. I may remove the entire rear end and haul it down there, as the u joints donâ€™t seem that bad.

(Do you know how much an entire rear axle, drums etc weighs? I am guessing at least 200#.)

Thanks, Mike Moore

300H

On Nov 2, 2015, at 5:45 AM, David Schwandt <finsruskw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Have you had either one of the axles out recently?

From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ray Jones 1970hurst@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Sunday, November 01, 2015 10:41 PM
To: Michael Moore
Cc: Chrysler 300 List
Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] Sudden drive train lock-up

Not really sure how your rear is assembled, but it sounds like the center pin has come loose in you spider gears and is hitting after one revolution of the tires/pinion. Go forward and it comes around and hits again.

Ray

On Sun, Nov 1, 2015 at 10:26 PM, Michael Moore mmoore8425@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300] <Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

When I backed it up, after approx 3 ft the drive locked up sharply, as though I had hit something. But I hadnâ€™t, and all 4 wheels were clear. It did the same thing going forward-locking up after just a few feet.I did this several times and the distances prior to lockup seemed the same.

I was able to give it a lot of gas and slowly it would move, but something was straining.

This afternoon, after completing new starter motor installation, I dropped the driveshaft to have a suspect rear U-joint replaced tomorrow, but I see nothing which looked like it was hitting.

On jack stands under the axle, I also am able to rotate both rear wheels in either direction continuously without a lock up. My next step is to remove both rear drums and ensure there are no broken brake springs, but if I donâ€™t see anything there, I have no idea where to look next. There are no unusual noises when I rotate the wheels.

Any suggestions?

Thanks, MIke Moore

300H

--

Ray Jones. Y'all come on down an see us. Ya hear?

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