i just did a donut in a parking lot, and as i was driving away, it sounded like i was dragging something metal, so i go to check it out, and there is nothing hanging underneath my car... what coudl it be? it won't go away....

 

Drain and ispect your rear end. Could be the posi unit. Or, you can put the rear on jackstands and let the motor turn the rear wheels, just be extremely carefull when doing this. Best to do this on a lift if possible.

 

i don't have posi, i got a one-wheel wonder
could the rear end still be the problem

 

Yeah, It could be the rear. I would inspect it and change the fluid.
Also, check the brakes as well. something might have gotten loose and is rubbing.

 

Yeah I'd check brakes....

 

Burnouts aren't so cool anymore are they?

 

I disagree.

 

I would suspect the exhaust is rattling or running something.

I've only heard one rear end that was going out and it sounded more like a jet engine whining.

If you have after market wheels w/ metal center caps, check them. I had a set of wheels w/ a lose center cap. It sounded like I was dragging a chain. I'd stop and look under the car and there would be nothing there. When the center cap finally fell off the problem went away. Unfortunately, I was short 1 center cap.

You might want to drive by a buddy and see if he can pin point the source. I doubt that will work well though.


Or go try to get on www.darwinawards.com. Strap someone to the bottom of the car and drive around. If they die, you'll get a Darwin Award! That actually happened. A guy was strapped to the bottom of a 4x4 looking for a rattle and got killed when he got wrapped around the drive shaft.

I hope this long post was entertaining or informative.

Good luck

 

If you put the car on jack stands and put it in gear. DON"T DO THAT ALONE. You will definitely want someone in the car and I wouldn't get under the car at all.

Without any resistance the wheels will spin pretty fast and any imbalance of the tires will show up. You certainly don't want the car vibrating itself of the stands.

 

well, i drove by a friend, and he said he coudl see something dragging on the ground towards the middle of the car.... and it goes away, and comes back , especially when i'm driving down hills, does this help?

 

Maybe the front of the torque arm or its mount broke? It kinda makes sense since you just got done doing donuts and the torque arm front mount takes a lot of stress.

 

It might be a good idea for you to get that fixed before you drive around anymore.

I agree that the torque arm may be the problem.

If it is, I think it might be able to hang down and catch on something. If that happens you'll cause some major damage to something.

Let us know what you find.

 

If the torque arm was broken, wouldn't it bang on the bottom of the car?
I am thinking e-brake cables or bracket.
Does your e-brake work?

 

ebrake does not work, but i don't know if it ever did, i never use it.

 

how about you crawl under the car and have a look? it's better than all of us guessing

 

i did, and there's nothign noticeable

 

Loose torque arm? I've heard of them coming loose under huge loads like a burnout if the bolts arent tightened enough.

 

i'm not the mechanic i'd like to be (yet!)_.. so, can you help by telling me where the torque arm is located? thanks. a picture would be very nice.

 

The torque arm is connected to the rear end and the transmission or the cross member holding up the transmission.

Its job is to keep the front of the rear end from twisting up under heavy loads or acceleration.

Hear is what a fancy lightweight one looks like from www.lgmotorsports.com ( a picture is supposed to be attached)

http://www.lgmotorsports.com/OCLS1_Fbody_Suspension.htm
This torque are is similar. The stock one is stamped steal.(I believe

I'm going to have to agree w/ Ukraine Train. You need the car up on 4 jackstands and look and wiggle things to figure out whats loose and hangin' done.

Good luck

 

I don't think so... the torque arm is going to be loaded by the rear suspension. If something broke it would shoot up and rest against the floor pan. I don't think anything would make it come down far enough to bang back up against the top of the car unless he's doing hill jumping. I could be wrong though.