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Axle blew up?

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Old 12-07-2008, 09:30 PM
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Default Axle blew up?

I'm writing this very winded, as I just had to push my car a few blocks in ~30 degree weather, but here goes:

A few hours ago, I drove to a friends house, and about half way through the trip I noticed that when I gave a bit of gas, suddenly my car got loud, and a low toned rumble could be heard. I thought it was my exhaust, but a few neutral revs sounded completely normal.

Several hours later, I began my trek back home with this noise in mind. I tried to repeat the same noise, and it never failed to return when I "goosed" it a bit, increasing speed.

Well, only minutes from my house into a turn, I pressed the accelerator only to hear *CLANK CRUNCH BANG RATTLE RATTLE* as the car lost the ability to stay in gear (without sounding like it was about to blow up) and I coasted to a neutral stop.
I pushed it back to my house in neutral and all the while I could still hear some clicking and rattling as the tires turned over, but being that it is dark and cold as hell, I cannot really inspect much.

So, here I am.
I suspect an axle, because I had a similar event occurr in my old h22a swapped accord. I put too much power down for the stock ones to hold.
But I am still not sure, because I know of a few issues related to this:

Weak Diff
(stock) beaten up clutch
(stock) everything but the motor/gofast goodies. (modified greddy kit)


Now, I can sit in my car (running) and put it into a gear, but when I let off of the clutch, I get the *CLANK CRUNCH RATTLE* **** as the clutch (im guessing) catches a little friction, and it actually moves a few feet/hour, untill the sound becomes too frightening for me to allow it to continue.

So, I am asking the good community of mt.net to point me towards a solution, as I don't know what a broken diff sounds like, nor a miata axle, nor a drive shaft etc.

Thank you so much, and yes, i did use the "search" button
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Old 12-07-2008, 09:38 PM
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Sounds like a diff to me. Good searching, newb Stock 1.6? How much power?
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Old 12-08-2008, 12:35 AM
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I'm not sure on the power, but i've been running 7psi on an intercooled greddy/2.5'' exhaust
It only started showing symptoms within ~hour of blowing up , and I haven't been particularly rough with her

And how would I test for a broken diff?

(anyone in the mid atlantic ( particularly SE Virginia) area got a 1.8torsen swap to sell? )
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Old 12-08-2008, 12:43 AM
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you test by looking under the car, realizing its not a Honda with a broken axle, and saying "my diff is broken"
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Old 12-08-2008, 07:34 AM
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Originally Posted by curly
you test by looking under the car, realizing its not a Honda with a broken axle, and saying "my diff is broken"
only hoping for the best :(
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Old 12-08-2008, 12:23 PM
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Axle is easy...look underneath and look for brokenness..

Sometimes a diff will explode gloriously also.

I've been there/done that sorta...nothing like looking a rear end...**** is fun.
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Old 12-08-2008, 01:29 PM
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Originally Posted by gompers
and I haven't been particularly rough with her
You broke the diff. Unless you answer that question with "I've babied the hell out of the diff" then you probably broke a 1.6 diff. They are stupid weak.

You've already done the test. If it pops and rattles when pushed around in neutral, but it stays silent when you free-rev it in neutral, the diff is borked.
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Old 12-08-2008, 01:36 PM
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I've seen a differential blown on an NA Miata. They ain't all that strong at all.
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Old 12-08-2008, 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Savington
You broke the diff. Unless you answer that question with "I've babied the hell out of the diff" then you probably broke a 1.6 diff. They are stupid weak.

You've already done the test. If it pops and rattles when pushed around in neutral, but it stays silent when you free-rev it in neutral, the diff is borked.
Yeah, I figured as much, and I know the **** is made of butter...but I had hope that I didn't have to replace the diff THIS soon, but **** happens lol.
Originally Posted by olderguy
I've seen a differential blown on an NA Miata. They ain't all that strong at all.
so I see


Thank you all for the info, I was leaning that way but I was hoping I was wrong lol.
Looks like a new project for me ^^
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Old 12-08-2008, 05:39 PM
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People break that puny piece on stock power.
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