PSA: My Dodge Magnum/Charger/300 almost killed me, how to NOT replace the front drive shaft.

Learn from me, and don't make the same mistake I did, I almost died under my car-The parking mechanism is on the front wheels not rear on the AWD Chryslers.
This is how the noise sounded, this is the front drive shaft with a bad u-joint near the transfer case: • Dodge Charger squeakin...

[@onesecureone]

Takes a real man to admit his mistakes thanks for sharing and prayers sent

[@jairomarcelo3047]

i guess I am kind of randomly asking but does anybody know of a good site to watch newly released series online ?

[@nehemiahimmanuel4689]

@Jairo Marcelo i watch on FlixZone. Just google for it :)

[@tyrocky3759]

@Nehemiah Immanuel Yea, I've been watching on Flixzone for since march myself :D

[@brysondenver6406]

@Nehemiah Immanuel Yea, been using Flixzone for since march myself :D

[@kodyleon8639]

@Nehemiah Immanuel Yup, have been using flixzone for since april myself =)

[@shanebellimpracticaldesign]

I just took the 1st bolt out of the front drive shaft and decided to check a vid for reference before proceeding and I am glad this is the first one that showed up.

[@amateurism1]

That's why I made the video, be careful under there.

[@shreyashkolhe7887]

You got ur luck stats max

[@dank_crusad3r]

Always use wheel chocks, they are life savers

[@brianjohnson2890]

Using the phrase "I'm an engineer", and almost removing yourself from the gene pool. Priceless. Glad you are still here. We have all cut corners, and got a quick education. That is something money can't buy.

[@2004redspecv]

first rule of car club: if your rear tires are on the ground your emergency parking brake should be engaged and proper wheel chokes applied, for the life of me I cant understand why people would skip buying wheel chokes that run 10-20$ for a good set. Glad youre okay buddy, I hate hearing of people getting hurt doing what they love.

[@brien1254]

Or even just use a 4x4 or a brick or something similar laying around

[@Aerolyte]

I just used a good size rock

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

He said his emer brake did not work...but still did not anticipate the worst.

[@fishsquishguy1833]

No doubt! I found a couple on the side of the road forgotten by an Electical Dept utility truck. They’re big heavy rubber chocks that don’t budge or slide. Always use them with ramps along with the e-brake for good measure. Bricks and 2x4s you can roll right over and even something bigger like a cinder block can get pushed and slide.

[@justintrett9663]

Same with jack stands.

[@ODDERBOTTER]

Holy hell man you just lived out my worst nightmare i think about whenever i go underneath my cars....

[@exoticforlife9004]

Thank god your okay and thank you your still alive i pray🙏🙏🙏 you feel better

[@amateurism1]

Thanks, I'm doing fine again, careful under there.

[@Boostedm3nace]

Jesus man. I do all my own work. Just did a transmission swap on my hellcat. Your story is like a nightmare. I’m so glad you are here to tell the story. Thank you for speaking on this and bringing awareness.

[@user-sk8xf1hw6t]

Hey man I think my transmission for my 2007 AWD hemi magnum is going out. How hard of an undertaking is it to swap it?

[@yotamaster760]

Thank you for making this video. I think we all take for granted how quick things can happen. I catch myself all the time about to do something sketchy for no other reason than saving myself a minute or two to do it right. I stop myself and take those few minutes, every time. Your story serves as a commanding reminder that life is so fragile. I'm glad your still with us my friend.

[@calebfitzgerald393]

Feeling thankfull that your alive. Came across this video just in time. i just ordered a new front drive shaft for my awd 300. This issue didnt even cross my mind. Thank you so much for sharing this. You helped stop what could have been a very bad day for my family and friends. i hope you had a speedy recovery. thanks again for sharing.

[@amateurism1]

Thanks, that's why I made the video! Be safe.

[@blong2898]

Man, I am sooooo glad that you are okay! Thanks for making this video, these accidents happen all the time and I have had my fair share of them. You didn't have to publish this video but you did so that others won't get hurt and you are a real stand up guy for it. That's called intellectual courage to me!

[@daviddoesit2341]

Thank you for sharing brother, I was considering skipping out on wheel chalks when buying ramps today to do a catalytic converter replacement. You might have just saved my life, as a very novice amateur mechanic thank you again for sharing.

[@tonytee.1864]

Had a old 70 charger R/T and while trying to jam headers from underneath while on ramps like you did. I hit the linkage with the header. And it rolled down and the header hit the grass and stopped the car. I was lucky as well. Lesson learned. Now I chock the tires and put it park and the apply the e-brake. Always! I'm glad you're ok!

[@rustypotatos]

Takes a man to admit something this intense

[@jiaweizhang4103]

Thanks for this man. Good to know that KZbin is a place that not only teaches things, but saves lives. Take care of yourself.

[@jamescohn4268]

As a novice tinkering dude on my own car, appreciate you sharing this and so glad you are ok. Probably gonna save a life and other people a lot of pain.

[@HASHBROWNPAPI_]

Glad you're OK man. Safety first always. Thanks for making this video as well to help other people from making this mistake

[@franchise-pj6ow]

Sorry to hear this brother ! Thank GOD your still here and able to help others from making that same mistake !

[@MarioHernandez-wj1iv]

Man thank god you ok bro, you cant never be too careful. This story going to make me triple check if not more, making sure the car is secure. God bless brother

[@erreidwas]

Aye.. Thank God Bro... You're still here! Thank you for sharing! I own a 06 300c... rear wheel drive... but I'll definitely remember this when working on my ride.

[@andrewhigdon8346]

I’m only 1:17 into this video and I think I know what happened and if it’s similar to what happened to me, it was definitely the closest I’ve ever come to simply knowing I was about to die, crushed under my own car. 1968 Ford Country Squire, 390. 1997 needed new starter, took ORIGINAL 29 year old starter out. Put parts store one in. Didn’t realize a little bit of casting/welding flash was left on the mating surface of the starter, so over the new several months it ate up my flywheel. Got replacement under warranty but needed to replace my flywheel. Car is about 4300lbs and sits low. I could NOT fit under this car past my shoulder/chest while at ride height. Drove front end up on cinder blocks with short pieces of 2x12. Those cinder blocks saved my life, very literally, that plus a strong front bumper with zero rebound. I disconnected the driveshaft. PARK doesn’t work at all with no connection to the wheels it’s depending on to be PARKED, plus drum brake emergency brakes are known not to work very well in reverse, but they were on anyways. Removed transmission mount bolts, bell housing bolts, then manhandled that C6 rearward just enough to reach up and loosen the flywheel bolts, just a few inches of clearance if that. I just happened to be oriented head just to the passenger side of the oil pan, feet under back seat. I pulled the 4300lb car off of the cinder blocks while wrangling the transmission rearwards, ad the odd sensation when the transmission I was trying to move rearward was now moving on its own, and I tried to grab the trans crossmember and stop it, but too late. I did just like when I was a kid and accidentally rode a sled under a moving car in the snow. Arms to the side, left cheek glued to the dirt. It knocked the breath out of me and for a moment I really thought my head had been smashed and I was just seeing weird things, I couldn’t get my breath, I had a few bolts from the floor pan stuck in my chest and shoulder, and I realized I was alive. I craned my neck up to see what happened, and the front bumper was sitting on the cinder blocks keeping the front of the car about 3-4” higher than ride height. I wiggled out, brushed myself off, grabbed a hose and washed myself down just cause I was completely speechless. My wife came running over and said she’d never seen my face so white, ever. I still have remnants of those scars from the two bolt threads that got me good. Bought jack stands and floor jack I couldn’t afford, and couldn’t afford not to afford, next day. Swapped them out. I still have that flywheel in my garage always on a wall, to remember to always think things through, don’t assume, and wisdom is cheaper than arrogance. I’ve done lots of very dangerous and crazy things, insane bicycle jumps, hurricane surf conditions, crazy car stunts, shocked plenty of times, but I’ll NEVER go under a car ever again without absolutely KNOWING that it cannot fall and crush you. I always leave the jack with the jack stand but let a fair but if weight down onto the jack stand. That way, if one fails, the other isn’t “shocked” into service and then it fails. I don’t use regular wheel chocks. I’ve seen all of them move and get rolled over. Nowadays I use rotors off my Suburban, other big rotors which fit the needs better, and hitch adapters. I’ve pulled a car off of a jack just breaking lug nuts loose. Again, front wheel drive stick shift in first gear, parking brake engaged. I couldn’t break loose while in the air, so put some weight back on it, Thought I broke em all loose, jacked it back up, but one was still not turning easily, so I put the crossbar on and gave it a twist and I guess the differential caused the other front wheel to turn the opposite direction, backward, and it rolled right off the factory scissor jack. The wheel chock had moved away from the tire form all the back and forth trying to break the lugs nuts loose, parking brake turned out not to be functioning well. No damage done, but made an impact in my sense of being around a 4000lb car in the air which could crush you. Respect. Glad he’s alive. That’s. Some very scary stuff.

[@ineedfiles]

My stomach was hurting while I was reading this lol

[@dondale68]

Sorry you learned it the hard way, that sucks! But THANK YOU for sharing! I'm on blood thinners, those injuries would have me bleeding out in a few minutes! Tomorrow I'll be replacing the lower control arm on my wife's 2015 Dodge Charger w/ AWD! I GUARANTEE I will be chocking the rear tires, behind and in front of the tires! Thanks Again!!

[@pedroalicea2720]

O my god so sorry that happened to you, thanx for the advice, wish you a speedy recovery! Glad you’re ok and was not gravely hurt

[@TheBreezus]

I appreciate and find this video valuable. I hope you healed up good considering this is 3 years old. Thank you.

[@rickyroan3419]

Thanks for the video….Im sooooo sorry Brother….please extra careful next time….speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹

[@ryanv7195]

Great video. You've helped someone doing this or anything under a vehicle remember to be safe. I do the same thing with a brick and wood. Now I'm thinking I need to upgrade my chalks

[@luiscasillas9853]

This is why im terrified to work under my car. But gladly you are okay and alive. Thanks for sharing your experience and know well that you are saving lives by sharing. Thanks.

[@BostonKnick]

My prayers my man...so so glad you good and talking to us today

[@nice1n601]

Wow. Glad your ok. Thank you for the video this has scared me enough to take extra precautions when I do my own projects from now on.

[@user-wh6ys7uo1h]

Thanks for sharing brother. You've definitely saved quite a few lives with this video.

[@frankhartford5194]

I'm glad I came across this video. I do all my own work on my 06 300c awd, and it's just good to know, and be aware. If I can I just lift the car on 4 jack stands and even leave the jacks in place, once I sit the car on the stands. I'm in the process of getting a lift, and opening a garage. Tired of working on my back. Me and 2 buddy's just did a oil pan gasket on my 5.7 AWD, what a big job without a lift. 10 hours but also put a new starter in while I was there and fixed the oem junk flexes

[@trippdean1879]

Thanks for your honest video. I never use wheel ramps. I also rarely use jack stands. I have a couple of harbor freight jacks. If I'm going to be under the car I use wheel cribs that are propertly (over built) made of lumber -- but I don't put the wheels/tires in the cribs... I set the frame of the car on the "wheel" cribs... Lots of accidents and tragedies out there... hopefully you saved someone's life with your video.

[@fredaydaybae8450]

Wow, lesson to be learned. Been in this position many times and took it for granted that nothing would happen like you did. Hope you’re better.

[@amateurism1]

I am doing great again, thank you.

[@julesjohnson4362]

WOW, so sorry this happened to you. Praise the LORD for your sharing as to hopefully help someone else not make the same mistake!! Ramps can be so very dangerous, I had the same thing happen to me almost 40 years ago. I accidently hit the transmission shifter while under a 1970 Mercury montego, it rolled down the ramp and onto my chest. Thankfully i recovered ok. Thank you again for sharing.

[@amateurism1]

Oh boy, I’m glad to hear you’re OK now, it’s funny, I can’t tell you how many people have told me they’re crazy horror stories that happen to them in the garage or in the barn after they learn about what happened to me, I think these accidents are more prevalent than I’d like to think they are, be well underneath the car buddy. i’m sorry that happened to you as well.

[@chickenbeef8095]

I didn't watch the full video however everyone knows or should know that you always secure the rear tires when you have the front up jacked etc & vice versa with wheel chocks or some type of block hell just about anything that would keep it from rolling would've worked be glad you made it out dude your blessed to see another day thank god

[@crazywayne7051]

This might be why the first thing in any instruction manual says before jacking the vehicle, MAKE SURE THE PARKING BRAKE IS SET AND OUR WHEELS ARE CHOCKED SO VEHICLE WILL NOT ROLL. I DO NOT JACK UP A VEHICLE ON GROUND THAT'S NOT WITHIN 5° OF BEING LEVEL. And don't use concrete blocks to support your vehicle as they tend to explode and pin you in such a way you suffocate because you cannot breathe which means you can't scream for help. This man is lucky he survived his near darwinian experience.

[@nicholaswilliams8385]

Thank God your alive thanks for the video hope everything healed up well

[@mskitty1784]

Glad you are ok. Thanks for sharing

[@user-dq7jo4fn9y]

I’m glad you’re alive! God bless

[@BaliMystic]

OMFG, you chocked the wheels and it still rolled down the ramps. Good to know. I often use a brick as a wheel chock and I only chock one side. Thank you for this. I will be extra careful from now on.

[@Gn0ume]

I am so glad you're ok.

[@SEP392]

thanks for sharing, glad your around to tell us.

[@Gun4Freedom]

Thank you for posting this, a lot of folks would be too ashamed to admit, let alone make a psa about an incident like you experienced. It makes me wonder how many lives have potentially been saved or broken bodies avoided by people watching this video.

[@nhmtrhd]

Those of us whether professional or weekend warriors has had close calls. Thankfully most live to tell about it. I have over 50 yrs of working on vehicles, including several years of vehicle recovery. I could share with you my close call stories as well! Luck won’t keep you alive. It’s redundancy, redundancy, redundancy!!! Wheel chocks must be used at all times! If your using jack stands, unless your on a concrete slab you should have a 3/4” pc of decent plywood under each stand. Your vehicle lifting area must be level or it’s a no-go. And for that worse case scenario, slide the tires you take off under the vehicle’s frame. And for gods sake don’t skimp on those wheel chocks. These simple rules can give you a better chance of meeting your grand children. I am glad you survived your recent close call 😃

[@DrHydeMrJekyll]

An engineer getting hurt by his own design? Hm. Seems legit.

[@allengreen3189]

Thank you for putting this out. Greatly appreciated

[@jamesanderson4014]

Thanks for sharing and maybe no one else will make the same mistake. Glad to see you will O.K.

[@VictorGarcia-pn3kx]

Dude I'm glad you're fine. I hope this video helps to save life's. And I hope you are doing better 😎👌✌️

[@DannyRossa]

Sucks this happened to you! Thanks for posting buying some wheel chocks in the morning. I get lax on PPE and this was a good reminder...you may have saved my life.

[@jerryatricks4168]

When you have ANY car raised on a jack, jack stands, or ramps: 1. Always chock the wheels opposite the raised end. 2. If the front is raised, apply the E brake. 3. If the back is raised, see rule #1 but chock both front and back of tires. 4. If you have another vehicle, and have the room for it, park it close to the end that isn't raised. This will, at least, prevent it from rolling away.

[@MechInvent]

I was going to disregard this video because I'm also a cocky engineer, but hey you encouraged me to buy a real jack extension so I can quit using pavers as spacers to lift my truck. It already fell off once and damaged the truck, but Im still cheap and using them. Good luck in the future projects. I think in your honor I'll buy wheel chocks bigger than 3 inches like the ones I have.

[@amateurism1]

Yes, my 2x4 and brick were not enough to do any good. Good luck moving forward too

[@wakeupamerica2971]

@2:00 - The first time in history an engineer said "I don't know everything..." 😂 I kid. All seriousness though, glad you're ok. Thanks for sharing the tip. Has already done good for some in these comments!

[@FZERO20]

This is a tough lesson to learn but better than losing your life. No matter what you think when jacking up a vehicle on the ground. Have the parking brake on, and/or some wheel chocks or wood in the rear. I also recommend using your wheels as extra coverage if you take them off

[@consejeriasinlimites4888]

Thank you for sharing, ill be praying for your recovery ❤️‍🩹

[@amateurism1]

I'm doing very good now, just a little different nose shape lol and some sinus issues, I'm alive and that's all I can ask for. Thank you for your prayers, but save them for someone else who needs it more.

[@paulswan1982]

Geez 🙄 glad your okay ! I take my Charger to the shop now on!!!!!

[@MLEB723]

Glad your okay, I've also had issues with my Charger wanting to come off Jack Stands and jacks...I hate working under this car. I was doing my E brake had both rear tires off had it running while it was in Park but my rear Hubs were spinning and I don't know how.

[@DiegoTorresNavarro]

Thanks for your advice!, as DIY mechanic, another advice, to use wheel chocks even on front wheels. A month ago I was replacing rear shocks in a Jeep Liberty, when I lifted the car, this started to move toward the street, The parking brake was working properly just in one rear wheel. So at least I lifted it up, its moved immediately.

[@amateurism1]

Be careful under there guys.

[@firetechevt]

Thanks for posting this, hopefully it makes someone pause and think before just forging ahead. Hope you have healed up, got another car and have no lasting effects from the accident. The simple explanation is that there is a differential in the transfer case. When you have a rear wheel drive off the ground you can still turn the rear wheels even if its in park however they turn in opposite directions. If you try to turn both rear wheels in the same direction they lock up against the locked drive shaft. In this case the transmission is locked in park which is BEFORE the differential in the transfer case. Now think of the front and rear AXLES as the wheels in the first example. If both the front and rear axles were off the ground any of the wheels will turn but the drive shafts will turn in opposite directions. When it was on the ramp the wheels are all trying to turn in the same direction which causes them to oppose each other and lock up against the locked transmission output shaft. Pop the front drive shaft off and its like letting go of one of the wheels, the rear drive shaft will be turning in reverse with the rear wheels and the front shaft coming out of the transfer case is spinning in the forward direction, but because it isn't hooked up to the wheels there is nothing opposing the movement. The transmission however is still locked up in park. The other thing I would caution against is, NEVER, EVER leave the car sitting on the sloped portion of the ramp. Your asking for the car to run away and it would easily overcome a 2x4. The other consideration should be apparent to anyone that uses ramps often. How many times have you had a ramp shoot out from under a wheel when your driving up onto them. I wont let anyone in front of the car until it is fully up on top. Can you imagine being under the car reefing on something and it causes the ramp or ramps to shoot out? It wouldn't be rolling backwards but coming straight down.

[@amateurism1]

You are 100% correct and yes, I have shot a wheel ramp or two. I'm almost 100% again, even if I stay at 98%, it's worth the lesson I learned-I could have only healed 50%, don't know how I'd feel then, but thank God I'm doing ok again; I hope that made sense.

[@davidcisneros7621]

Thanks for the advice , thank god you're ok 🙏

[@robertobencosme3715]

Brother thank you. You are saving a lot people life . sorry happened to you.

[@PFGB007]

I’m glad that you ok.

[@bryang5412]

Sweatin just listening to this.... 😳 That would be the worst scenario for ANY diy mechanic! You lucked out, brother! Thank God it didn't crush your skull!

[@jamiecumbee4108]

Damn. I've known a few people that have died working on a car. You were very lucky!

[@richardquinlan8199]

Good luck. Get well soon. Thanks.

[@airgearmaster123]

I hope you stay safe and that you are better now. God Bless

[@jeremyTallen1]

damn man glad your ok. this is one of my biggest fears

[@fishsquishguy1833]

Wow! Thanks for sharing this. Lucky it didn’t break your neck or crush your skull. The parking pawl, the part that engages to keep the car from rolling in Park, is pretty small and wouldn’t trust my life with it. Good set of wheel chocks and setting the E-brake for sure! In all honesty, I would have thought that the rear would still be in park with the front one disconnected. If by sharing you’ve only save one person from making the same mistake, your video was well worth making!

[@Lando94]

I’m glad you’re here to share the story you made it with minor injuries I would say, valuable lesson makes me remember to double check myself I try to always use wheel chock, jack stands etc

[@BigMikesHooptyBarn]

Sometimes we receive mercy when we least expect it! I'm glad you're better than you could be. Get well soon.

[@amateurism1]

I'm a o k again, my wife still likes the way my face looks, I think... I'm 98% again and happy for it! Thanks for the kind words friend.

[@frankblocks3635]

Thank God you survived. #safety

[@dicklong8275]

You no look so good bruh. Be careful brother, glad you are ok

[@freddiemack26]

Glad God protected you brother. Stay safe brother.

[@adamgarcia3092]

Sticking with the good ol jack!!

[@jamesdoxsee4136]

Sorry that happened to u worse way to learn tho glad ur okay like u said work with what u have but keep mind all scenarios and stay safe and even than something can happen

[@brendenyates8963]

Respect to you guy 💯

[@garystevens4398]

Glad you are okay god bless.

[@markjohnson9495]

Never trust any type of jack, parking prong, or e-brake. Use jack stands, never ramps. Scotch any tire that's on the ground. Glad you're ok.

[@justinyoungstown]

If the drive shaft or axles are removed from the front or rear of a awd car the car will freely roll. Do not remove a axle or drive shaft and not have the wheels chocked or else it'll roll away. I'm a full time automotive mechanic. If you do this it'll possibly kill you. This is why I use jack stands and always on a flat surface.

[@bernie472]

My Goodness! Praise God your alright! Makes me glad I don't have the all wheel drive 14' Charger. I prefer the rwd one I have.

[@sailorjerry7567]

Dude that's awful bro I'm glad you are ok .

[@casheighty8]

Midas and Meineke deserve all of your business.

[@bradleysteeves7891]

Thank you for sharing your storey..

[@immunti2741]

hope you get well soon

[@EliasVoorhees]

There are lots of cases where police chargers have rolled off of scissor jacks while flats are being replaced. Dodge sent out “correction” kits which included a safety sticker and 2 metal wheel chocks. It’s a very unusual set up.

[@5.0Zay]

I hope you get better stay safe

[@S197_rexx]

Glad your okay brother

[@johndough4871]

Whoa. Thanks for the share... good lesson learned.

[@drunyon08]

Good God man so lucky to be filming glad your okay.

[@thereisnopandemic]

No such thing as luck. It’s a myth

[@amateurism1]

So true

[@michaelmontgomery8067]

Damn glad your ok man. I seen a guy dragged by a jeep Cherokee like this.. hope you heal up well.

[@amateurism1]

I'm doing great again thanks!

[@extraextra998]

Thank GOD your okay

[@key981]

Glad you ok !!! My god!!! 😢😢

[@BdeJJG]

Wow hope you have recovered

[@edgierok4389]

I know it's been a while but thank you for sharing. Many people would not and you just might have saved someone's life. Glad you're okay, Blessings

[@richardmartini9784]

P.S Thanks for the info.... Great to know..a new safty tip...!!!

[@annoythedonkey]

Man thanks for the heads up I hope you are doing better

[@amateurism1]

I am, thank you! I'm almost 100%

[@annoythedonkey]

Stephen Toth did you have problems with the axel nut?

[@jboot111]

In an AWD/full time 4wd setup, it's less of a transfer case and more of an extra differential. Both sides work together, while allowing a difference of speed for cornering and such. So when you removed the front shaft, you basically created a slip situation. You know how you'll see cars spinning only one wheel if it has no traction, but the other drive wheel does? Basically that, but sideways and in reverse. With both shafts connected, the differential carrier wants to rotate, and the transmission stops that. Disconnect one, and now the force is uneven, making the carrier stay put (since the transmission is still holding it) while the internal parts spin freely. Hope you're doing better, man. It's a terrible way to learn the lesson, but now you've learned. Some $20 wheel chocks might be worth the investment. Keep there from being a "next time"

[@amateurism1]

I'm doing great again, thanks asking and thanks for the reply; you put some time into it, I can tell.

[@rodneyorodneyort5955]

Thanks for the information 👏🏾

[@PTucker0864]

Omg.....Thank God it wasn't worse. Never EVER get under a vehicle without extra support, or on a hill that would ease the momentum for movement. If you're not confident in the securement, don't get under it. That ramp thing you did was the killer....I don't trust ramps anyway. I would always throw a rim w/tire under a frame point in addition to a jack and stands. Commonsense will save your life. You are not wrong for posting this.....it could save a life. Take care and God Bless. 🙏

[@Spark7419]

Jack stands genius 👏

[@mfree80286]

Chocks when under. Period. Real chocks, flat surface. You'll find square profile objects will almost always be either too short to stop the wheel rolling over, or so tall that the tire doesn't push down on it before it slips out.