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Happysixer
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2002
19:45:15

Subject: You Guys Won't Believe This!!!!
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First of all this is my first post to this site, and if I had the thirty bucks I would join in a heartbeat. Except for that off-topic crap about the 2k1 civic, everyone is extremely helpful. Well anyway, here is my fiasco....

In July 2001 I bought a 97 ext cab 239 4x4 dak. I LOVE it!!!! But about 2 months later i noticed a clicking sound right under the drivers' side cab. I was exponentional meaning it was a faster clicking as went faster. But it still did it when changing gears so I ruled out driveshaft problems. Well, I talked to a couple people and concluded it was the u-joints if the front driveshaft that I was thinking was the problem the whole time. Changed those to no avail. Had ALL oils and fluids changed to mobil 1 and still did nothing. Then I noticed that it took about 3-4 sec for engagement when put in reverse. I thought it was my tranny (I adjusted all linkage when I initially bought it, so I knew it wasn't that) but no.... well, about mid December, I was driving down the highway about 60, and noticed a slight vibration.... hmmm.... didn't take to much notice to it... then BOOOOOOMMM!!!!! CRRRCCCCCKKKKRRRRRCCRRRR!!!!!! I Pulled off the side of the road and saw that my transfer case had EXPLODED!!!! It was night so I couldn't conclude much. I got it towed back to my house by my buddy, and picked up the internal gear in the transfer case that is directly conneted to the yoke for the front drive shaft about 100 yrds away! Left it there for about a week or two while I prepared for christmas. Well, I finally found a good price on a new TC ($900-brand new-no core charge)and had a local drivetrain shop build me a new heavy duty drive shaft. When I pulled the drive shaft off is when I finally realized what happened..... About 8-12 in off the TC in the driveshaft is a C.V. joint. Well that joint popped right in two and sent the front 3/4 off the driveshaft that was still connected to the differential swining around uncontrollably. When it did this it put a huge dent in my floorboard and busted out my TC. Well i got my new TC in the other day and hopped under my truck to start checking linkage to see if that whirling driveshaft had skrewed any linkage and almost $hit my pants. The driveshaft and also hit my A/T oil pan and dented it. But not just any old dent. It smacked it right on the flange where it bolts to the tranny and bent the flange up a good 2in!!!! As I looked harder I saw that it also cracking my tranny case in about 3 different spots. So now I'm in the process of finding a new tranny, but all my resources are tapped out from my TC and new driveshaft. Anyone know of a good place to get a new tranny (a518 i believe)? I dont want a used one from a junkyard, but I might end up with a re-man'd or rebuilt one if the price is significantly cheaper. Any help would be EXTREMELY appreciated. Sorry for the long story by the way, but i have seen some bad stories on here and just though "HA!!!! I got you all WAY beat!!!" So I had to share and ask for any input.

PS. I will be taking alot of pics of all the damage and progress of my rebuilt drivetrain as i go along, and will be setting up a small site following the progress of my truck soon, hope you guys will be interested and helpful like I always see.

Thanx all



coppertop
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2002
19:52:15

RE: You Guys Won't Believe This!!!!
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I am SO SORRY to read that story man. That is some bad luck. I hope I never have that problem, it sounds expensive.



kota on 20s
GenIII
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8/11/2002
21:21:52

RE: You Guys Won't Believe This!!!!
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geez dude!! sorry to hear the troubles.

-Eric
Injection is nice, but i'd rather be blown.
Powerdyne SC, 50mm TB, 2bbl M-1, 1.7RR's, MSD 6BTM, ciramic JBA headers, carsound cat, dumped gibson

rtdkota
R/T
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8/12/2002
10:00:10

RE: You Guys Won't Believe This!!!!
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You can get a rebuilt A-518 from
http://www.phoenixhardparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv

For $895+ shipping (about $150-200 shipping).

I saw their facility--- they really do have 1400+ trannys in stock!

I picked up a 727BB tranny from them... cheaper than I could have rebuilt it myself.

Ask for Andre (think that was his name-- don't have his card off hand)... Tell him Sam from the Dakota RT club sent ya (you might get a lower price).

Sam


RTDKOTA

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