First of all I own a 50 Olds 98 with a v8 ,Auto. This weekend while driving, the car seemed to slip into neutral. After futher inspection, the drivshaft was turning. Something in the rear end gave out. Before I start tearing into it. Any ideas from the local form experts?

 

Frmula505, never had a rear end that just went out . Most left with a bang crunch or started whining till I couldn't stand it any longer. You might take a look at your rear axles,I have had one of those give it up with hardly any report and for almost no reason other than it was old and tired.....Tedd

 

Yes never made a noise or grinded. I did notice it smoking after I pulled it home (about three miles). I'll check it a little better this afternoon. To bad the back is sealed on these.

 

Finally got it on the road. Found that the four bolts that hold the axle in had come loose. There was only two bolts, and no nuts left. Just had to buy new hardware, and everything was fine.

 

Best to have a look under neath before you go too far, you might find that if your hardware came loose like you say you could have a bad Axle Bearing including a leaking Seal at the Axle end.


Check your backing plate behind your Brake Shoes and if it's wet with oil ya gotta problem Houston!!!


Axle End bolts don't come loose all of a sudden without a preseding problem.

 

We checked everything out while it was apart. It was wierd, not even the backing plate gasket was torn. The car had been parked for over 40 years (80k original miles). I have only driven it maybe 50 miles since I got it. I took it for a 10 mile test drive no vibrations no leaks. But I will keep checking it. Thanks for the heads up.