I was driving and I suddenly lost power to tranny and my brakes were failing. Got out the car and saw my driverside rear wheel sticking out 3 inches more than normal. Looked under the car and saw the brake hub shifted forward. Jacked up the car and removed the wheel and was able to pull out the whole shaft from the axle. Did I break a c clip? I ha e a 68 Cutlass Supreme with 350 and 2 speed Jetaway auto trans. Im not too mechanically skilled so I have a mechanic who cuts me decent prices.

Seems like they are going to have to open the pumpkin anyway...I was wondering if there is anything I might as well do while he's in there. Maybe change the gears? I am still learning and it is my daily driver. Looking to beef it up the most I can with my small spending limits. I don't have tons to spend so advice is appreciated! Also, is changing the clip a huge job? What should I expect to pay.

 

If that's all it is, it shouldn't be too bad:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3Jbc3WXIFY

 

If it's a US-built car with the original rearend, it doesn't have c-clip axles, and the axle shouldn't be able to slide out without the retainer being unbolted.

 

You sure? I thought they used these?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...%2B350cid%2BV8

 

Here is a pic of my Axles with retaining plates ready to install ......

 

What would cause the retainer to come out of place while driving? Broken bolts? Here are a couple of photos from the back before removing the wheel. You can get an idea of how it disconnected.

 

Yes, he's sure. ALL US-built Cutlii used the Type O axle. No C-clips. The bearings are pressed onto the axle shaft and a retainer plate holds the shaft and bearing assembly in the housing. Only Canadian-built Cutlii got the Chevy axle with C-clips. It is also possible that someone swapped the axle at some time in the last 40+ years. Determine which axle you really have under the car first.

 

If you have true "O" type axles the only way they could slide out is if the retaining ring was not pressed in with the proper clearance and was loose from the get go , otherwise I am with Joe check to see what type of rear end you have first , then go from there ,,,

 

You might have also blwn the wheel bearing out,causing to to chew up the retainer,and not be able to hold it in.Take a picture of your rear cover.

 

I think you nailed it.

 

OUCH! I wonder how and why that all happened...

 

I've seen a few do that.Usually people notice when the bearing goes bad,but if they don't & keep driving it,everything gets chewed-up even more.More than likely,you will need to replace that axle shaft.

 

I've already seen where the outside bearing race chewed up the axle housing flange - replace the tube, or complete housing!
Hopefully, the bearing came apart, or the inner race spun on the axle - easier fix.

Whenever you hear 'grinding' in the back, have it checked out, don't just turn up the radio!

 

Sounds like common sense, but will you always get that tell-tale sound? I guess I worry about stuff like that - big things that go bad without warning.

 

I could tell RIGHT away when my axle end play was at a horrible .272"

It felt like the tire had about 15 psi missing after completing a turn. A bit of a shimmy to it.... like the same feeling you get with a tall stock sidewall tire that's low on air.
But then again, It's been my daily driver the last 13 yrs, so I tend to notice easier.

 

Or the front. Not Olds related... but my wife's Jetta's front bearings were shot. I rarely drive it and she's oblivious to car noises so I never knew until one day she mentioned that she couldn't hear what our daughter said "over that noise the car makes".
Me = "What ? For how long ?"
Her = "That noise. Its been going on for months."

So I drove it. Holy heck. Sounded like I was piloting a Cessna.....at full power in a steep climb.

 

Was it her who ran over a matress with an Explorer and kept driving until the springs were so wound up in the driveline until it stopped?

Never ignore strange car sounds... Of course some do not know what is normal and what is not.
Now if that VW was a diesel I might understand a little...

 

Thanks for the advice but I don't just "turn the radio up". There is a reason why I post on this forum. I am still learning but the reality of it is I had the bearings and seals looked at a couple months ago and was told they are fine. The car is 41 years old with 4 drum brakes, there is going to be light grinding and squeaking involved. There was never any "loud" warning signs other than it blowing out the way it did.

 

omg , one time i was waiting at a light by the freeway , and i heard this loud grinding noise.... I looked in the direction the noise was coming from , and this lady was driving her car with a flat tire which by now was completely gone and she was driving on the rim.....then to my surprise she tried to get on the freeway ! brake parts and who knows what else was just flying off the car at this point....lucky for her a cop seen this and quickly got behind her on the on ramp to the freeway and pulled her over , probably saving her life and maybe someone elses. if I was the cop I would of cut her drivers license up on the spot and told her to walk.

 

Do any of you know if the axle length is 29 1/4" OR 29 7/8"

 

I belive it is actually 29 3/4",but the 29 7/8" might be how they have it listed. I know the 29 1/4" is too short,and that would be for the narrower 64-65 style rear.