2007 Nitro Drive Shaft Fell Out

[kfourman]

I am new to this, but I haven't been able to find a lot of information on the problem that I am having. I currently own a 2007 Dodge Nitro. A week ago yesterday while making a left hand turn my drive shaft fell out of my vehicle causing my air bags to deploy. Two separate repair shops have looked at the vehicle and determined that there was something that was rubbing against the drive shaft that would have caused it to weaken. There were gauge marks in the drive shaft indicating this. I purchased the vehicle used so my only conclusion was that it had to occur while under the previous owner. I accepted their report and the warranty is covering the replacement of the drive shaft; however, the incident caused major damage to the vehicle including deploying my side impact air bags. Luckily my insurance company is going to cover the remaining repairs needed. So up until this morning I was satisfied .... On my way to work I passed a newer model Dodge Nitro with its drive shaft on the ground. My husband stopped and talked to the guy. Same exact thing! The markings on his drive shaft are exactly like the markings on mine that they claimed had to have been rubbed. What I am trying to find is if anyone else has had this same experience. I have contacted the dealership that currently is repairing my car. I am satisfied that mine is being taken care of, but it almost looks like it may be a major issue.

[rickaren]

What Nitro and engine/trans. do you have? Have not seen any reported complaints on this as of today.

[kfourman]

It is a 2007 V6 Dodge Nitro SXT if that helps. If you tell me where I can find any other info I will be glad to provide it. I have added the pictures. The silver car is mine and the red is the one I passed this morning.

[rickaren]

I suppose you have an automatic 4X4 , but you could have a six speed manual being a SXT, I think.

I would make a Defect Investigation Complaint over at
ODI - Office of Defects Investigation and maybe send these great pictures, if they accept them. Again I can not find any reports about this issue or complaints. I am concerned having a 2007 R/T but too would not be worried about charges for the defect with all the extended coverage I have, but this is a safety issue and needs to be reported and documented. After an investigation a Recall could be issued.
Please keep us informed here and THANKS!

[kfourman]

Thank you so much. I have filed a complaint as you suggested. I actually have an automatic 4X2.

[oz-nitro]

Any further info about this problem yet?

[kfourman]

I have not heard anything from Dodge at all. My warranty company paid to replace only the drive shaft, and luckily my insurance company covered the rest.

[oz-nitro]

I just had a quick look at mine, couldn't see any rub marks but i'll be keeping an eye out.

But i did discover that the driveshafts are made out of ALUMINIUM ! (sorry, Aluminum for those in the States) I noticed it had Alcoa stamped on it so i grabbed a magnet and sure enough.....So no wonder something rubbing on it can lead to a failure!
something to keep an eye on.
Kind of exotic though, having an Aluminium drive shaft, i've heard of some supercars having carbon fiber shafts.

[ammory007]

hi friends,

i think it's aluminium made to make light in weight and more power can transfer through it
unlike german cars it has a center rubber holder and made of other kind of steel

the true thing between those designs is that in nitro is fixed while moving power to rear wheels while in german car having some moving ( lean left and lean right) when u accelerate so that the benifits of the center rubber holder in transfering the power to rear wheels.

[ammory007]

i think the thing that weaken ur drive shaft is having problem in rear axlebox preventing the wheels from spining smoothly