F53 Blowout

[ptl_10]

Yesterday coming home from a weekend of camping and my left rear inner tire blew out. I did not think it was to bad until I looked back about 1/4 mile and saw a fire starting on the side of the road. I hurried up and unhooked the toad and drove back to find my whole exhaust system on the side of the road burning up the grass. Lucky a few passer bys stopped and helped put out the fire. Then I noticed that the rear most part of my driveshaft was laying under the exhaust, well half of it anyway. The other half was on the other side of the road. Coachnet came through for me with some great service to get me home. Surprised that the tire blewout, it was a BF Goodrich Commercial TA with a date code of 3708, always check the pressure before getting on the rode and everything was fine. Anyone know a good place to get exhaust and driveline parts near Orlando? These 2 items have to be the worst to find for these 96 F53 chassis's.

[Born_To_Travel]

If you can not find a replacement driveshaft, a local machine shop should be able to replace the shaft tube and weld the old ends on the new tube.. Been there, done that..

[Lt46]

Check with the RV repair shop up on 27 in Minneola (can't think of the name right now)but I've seen them doing all types of repairs including chassis and driveline work. Never had any work done there myself so can't speak to quality.

[popeye766]

Let me say this.....if the REAR END yoke is damaged or broke you have a lot more trouble than you think....however , believe me a good mechanic can install a new one and seal without breaking your rear end apart......ASK before you commit to a rear end rebuild for around $3000 just to put a yoke on.....my thoughts by experience.....

[ptl_10]

Thanks I will try contacting them tomorrow.

[ptl_10]

Yes I have the drive shaft. It was broken in half. There was also a chunk taken out of the yoke in the rear end.

[popeye766]

COLAW RV salvage in MO. will have all your parts..

[RVUSA]

ptl_10 wrote:
Yea I was wondering that also but the tread was completely off the tire and the tailpipe for the exhaust comes out right in front of the tire. I think the tire blew and wrapped around the tailpipe and ripped the exhaust off and the exhaust dented the drive shaft causing the drive shaft to rip apart and come off.

well now that that's settled. 🙂


do you have the drive shaft?

[ptl_10]

Yea I was wondering that also but the tread was completely off the tire and the tailpipe for the exhaust comes out right in front of the tire. I think the tire blew and wrapped around the tailpipe and ripped the exhaust off and the exhaust dented the drive shaft causing the drive shaft to rip apart and come off.

[RVUSA]

Pretty much the rv places there in winter garden is your best bet. It sounds like you dropped your drive shaft which took the exhaust and tire with it.

Did you notice a difference in the gas peddle?

[Mike_M2]

I agree, doubtfull a blowout could take out a driveshaft!

[rgatijnet1]

Based on what you have said happened, it might not have been the tire that failed first. Since the back part of your drive shaft was dropped, I am guessing that the rear U-joint failed, which threw the drive shaft, which took out the exhaust and inner tire. Usually if the middle carrier bearing fails, it just makes a lot of noise without ejecting any parts.