- Aug 24, 2012
- 1,098
Driving back to work today from lunch and I hear this awful racket. Sounds like the exhaust broke and was dragging/digging in. Stopped as quickly as I could from 50 mph and pulled to the side of the road. Of course, the grass was a foot tall. I couldn't see any exhaust issues, so I looked at everything else but didn't see anything obvious. I get in and pull forward a bit and hear it again. Get out and look, and I noticed something at the rear of the gas tank. The rear strap had broken and it was rubbing against the rear U-joint/driveshaft.
Luckily I had a ratchet strap so I got the tank somewhat secured and headed on in to work. When I got home, I backed it onto a set of ramps and was able to evaluate it a bit more. I was able to get the outboard side off - the bolt actually released and the nut is still secure. I just can't maneuver the inboard piece that fits into the slot enough to get it out. It shouldn't be too hard, but maybe the rust has shrunk the opening and swollen the tab.
Any ideas on how to get it out since I also have to get the new one in?
You can see the shiny ring on the driveshaft. I'm thinking I'll pop the driveshaft off the rear diff and I should have plenty of room.
I have doubled the ratchet strap so I'm not worried about it coming loose or breaking before I get the new steel strap. I have a little less than half a tank and I plan on keeping it low until I fix it. I almost filled it up at lunch as gas prices were going up today. I'm glad I didn't!
Luckily I had a ratchet strap so I got the tank somewhat secured and headed on in to work. When I got home, I backed it onto a set of ramps and was able to evaluate it a bit more. I was able to get the outboard side off - the bolt actually released and the nut is still secure. I just can't maneuver the inboard piece that fits into the slot enough to get it out. It shouldn't be too hard, but maybe the rust has shrunk the opening and swollen the tab.
Any ideas on how to get it out since I also have to get the new one in?
You can see the shiny ring on the driveshaft. I'm thinking I'll pop the driveshaft off the rear diff and I should have plenty of room.
I have doubled the ratchet strap so I'm not worried about it coming loose or breaking before I get the new steel strap. I have a little less than half a tank and I plan on keeping it low until I fix it. I almost filled it up at lunch as gas prices were going up today. I'm glad I didn't!