Check out this thread here

The guys flywheel came off and out through the front of his car :eek: Some scarey stories too :eek:

Tremendous:cool:

:eek:This is why front engined dragsters & funny cars have to have a big 1" steel cage over the flywheel & clutch housing, apparently in the States more than one guy has lost the bottom half of a leg when the clutch has exploded:eek:

:eek: never heard of that either :( I was suprised about the guy leaning over the engine :eek:

I used to help a mate of mine who raced Mini Miglias. The flywheels on these were quite prone to coming off, as they revved to about 8000 rpm, and in some cases would slice through the bulkhead into the car. We were unfortunaltely at a meeting at Castle Coombe one day when this happened to another driver - flywheel took his leg off and he didnt make it to hospital. Really scary.

Steve

Sh!t!!! :eek: I am so glad I didn't get it done now, when I had my clutch etc fitted to the 'grale I asked them to do it but they couldn't get it done. Lucky now because I sit behind the flywheel :eek:

Steve I am in the 'grale today, are you leaving work a 17:30?

more or less yes. Why - is it likely to brake down and you want a lift? :D

Cheeky :p I may see you going through burnham beeches then :D

OK. Will keep an eye out for you :cool:

Steve

PMSL - thats just about the funniest reply I have seen on this BBS :D:D:D

Still laughing now :D:D

Dream Weaver

:p

:D sorry Paul I didnt mean it!

Steve

or perhaps he means break down ;) :p

:D

RB, LMAO,:D:D:D:D: still chuckling and its been five mins since I first read it :D:D:D:

Just come in for another look - still makes me laugh :D:D

some videos of flywheels letting go

http://www.mymazdarotary.com/various..._explosion.avi

http://www.ish3.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/rx7_blow.wmv

http://www.mymazdarotary.com/various..._aftermath.avi

Its usually sustained high RPM (burnout or launch at a drag strip) and an over lightened cast iron (not a strong as a specifically designed billet steel or alloy one) flywheel that are to blame.

[Edited by mikelmr - 7/2/2003 5:59:32 PM]

[Edited by mikelmr - 7/2/2003 6:00:54 PM]

We were at Mallory Park a while back watching my mate in the post historics race when a chap in his mustang when by us on the pit wall then bang we heard a fizz air type sound then a bang when part of the flywheel imbedded it's self in the RSJ of the bridge from the pits to the other side of the track I mean it was stuck well fast! it took loads of attempts from the marshals to remove it from the bridge and as for the car it was a right mess a part of it went up through the bonnet and the rest cut the main chassis rail in half:eek: like a hot knife in butter


Huxley

Have seen my mates Mini let go, race top end on standard bottom end, big end mains cap came through the bulkhead (with lots of hot oil) and hit the roof !

most dragsters have bomb blankets on the trans tunnell as well now and the steel loop.

the nova pic, a very small flywheel or only a part of it broke off, looks more like something punched in & tore the out whilst it was pulling out, tow bar type accident


not saying it does not happen


anyone got a rear wheel drive or 4X4 ??

think what will happen 1 day at max speed when the prop shaft snaps at the back or any forward from there & its still attached at the gearbox/transfere box, yep it will be flailing about under your car smashing thru the floor & maybe even flipping your car over

just a though before you get in your car tomorrow :D

Been there with a front propshaft letting go on a Sierra 4x4.
Donut failed and it flapped around against the bellhousing (holed), underneath of car (big dent) and road (nice gouge).

This was done on the M11, so when the propshaft eventually fell out, a passing car picked it up and took their wheel out.

Surprisingly cheap to repair as bellhousing could be welded, but I made sure I put in a cossie shaft next time.

Nick
1997 Forester S/tb

Oh dear, I think its safer to walk :eek:

That first video is scarey :eek:

morning Paul - nice motor you have there! :cool:

Steve

Morning Steve :D

Thanks :D I nearly missed you as I came round the corner though :o I saw you sitting there grinning away :D

Paul :)

I'll have to come along to one of the "lunchtime beer in Slough" soon and have a proper look at it. Wont be tomorrow as I am at a wedding but maybe next week. See you around.

Steve