hey guys,

i was down at the track running my car on slicks for the first time, and the funniest thing happened. I did a 10 sec burnout and spun off the line, so decided that i was really going to get my slicks sticky on the next pass. after the second burnout, i checked my traction, and nearly pulled the front end off. when i left the line, i jerked the front two off about 8 inches apiece. (which is wierd for a car running 13.6's spinning the slicks) but believe me it did happen because what happened next sucked. my moment of glory lasted half a second and when my car came down i shucked my dana 12 bolt. took the cover off to find out that i blew my spider gears to pieces. is this something that a better locker or a ford 9" would fix. i have to build a new rear now and am looking for the best parts to do it with. also why did the spider gears go before my 4.56's? any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

oh yeah sorry for having to take a couple of lines to relay my first wheelie.

thanks

Chuck

Don't you ever wish somebody would have caught the launch on video?

Welcome to the world of slicks and manual transmission. You found the weakest link !!

Take the trans gear ratio used times the 4.56 rear gear = torque multiplication factor. Take TMF times torque from engine and this is the final torque value used to move a 3300#(?) car from rest. Take this torque value and control by sidestepping the clutch at 6000 rpm.

Now, imagine yourself being one of those spider gears and divide the total torque by four, as this is the number of teeth contacting in the gear set, two diff gears to two axle gears. Add in the coefficient of fraction of the sticky slicks and something is going to break, the weakest link. You found it!!

Spider gears being of smaller size, meaning lever, as compared to ring/pinion gear, surprised you didn't break the carrier in the process. I broke the carrier case once, even with an automatic.

Breaking a Dana, could have been weak gears due to manufacturing processes, or simply, too much torque applied.

I don't think a 9-inch or better locker would help. Just install a spool and the next weakest link will show up shortly. Just my opinion.... :D

yeah, at least i know that i set the suspension up right. i had never tuned a suspension before, and was interested to see how mine would do. the guy who hits the tree at the track (and who helped me push my car off of the track) said he couldnt believe the time i posted would have allowed me to get the tires off of the ground, that and he didnt think that the track was that sticky with it being 36 degrees out. if i can get a 9" built with mosier 31 spline axles and my chevy drum setup for $1150 is that a good price?

chuck

$1150 for a 9-inch = good price