Scrape on 13-14 CF drive shaft, still okay?

merkyworks

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I bought a 13-14 CF driveshaft off ebay. Seller said it had been on the car for less than 300 miles, the CV boot seals and everything look brand new so I believe this to be true.

However I did find this one spot on the shaft that has a little scrape, maybe from when it was removed. It doesn't go into the carbon fibers and appears to be just the exterior clear coat that is damaged. This is still consider okay to use and not structurally compromised right?

Publication1.jpg
 
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HillbillyHotRod

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If it is only the clear coat may be okay, but I would not use it. Something had to cause that and who knows what that did to the CF. No expert here so take it for just my opinion.
 

SirShaun

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Only one way to find out. Do it for science.

Perhaps reach out to the seller with picture proof of the scratch, explaining the integrity of the driveshaft is now in question due to the nature of carbon fiber, and try to get some money back.

Then slap on some sticky tires, the driveshaft, dump the clutch and see if it turns to dust.

I would assume your alright, and would down right cringe if that did indeed cause failure in the driveshaft. I have a CF driveshaft, and shit a rock bouncing off the road could potentially do that much damage.
 
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moncho

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Did you try posting in the '13/'14 forum? After all you do have their CF DS same as I do. Someone there may have had this issue.

Good Luck!
 

13COBRA

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I wouldn't put it on for anything.

Not worth it. Did you watch the video of the American Muscle girl blowing up her CF driveshaft?
 

merkyworks

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Wow I'm really surprised to hear the reactions, I thought it would be okay. As stated already if these things are that fragile a rock bouncing up from the road is death. I will post in the '13/'14 forum and see what they say.

link to video of AM girl breaking driveshaft. Feel like this is a totally different circumstance, IRS and lots of tire shake.
 

13COBRA

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Start at 5:20.



Wow I'm really surprised to hear the reactions, I thought it would be okay. As stated already if these things are that fragile a rock bouncing up from the road is death. I will post in the '13/'14 forum and see what they say.

link to video of AM girl breaking driveshaft. Feel like this is a totally different circumstance, IRS and lots of tire shake.

Do what you want, it's your car. Carbon fiber is an EXTREMELY durable material when it is in tact.

Imagine comparing your shirt to a carbon fiber driveshaft, or anything carbon fiber. It's really hard to grab two handfuls of your shirt, and rip it. If there's the smallest puncture, wear spot, or fray, then it becomes extremely easy to tear. Same goes for carbon fiber. With how it is constructed, it's very tough. However if it's compromised in any way, it will fail.
 

moncho

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I didn't get where the CF DS came from? FOMOCO? After market?

Good thing no one got hurt!

Thanks for the link.
 

Snoopy49

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I don't think the CF will dent if dropped, but if it is dropped it may only show damage to the clearcoat.
 

moncho

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^Exactly. If the shaft is dropped it looses it's integrity. And this may only show up as what the OP's pic shows. If you go this route don't chance getting it second hand unless it's someone you trust but can also provide detailed pics of the entire shaft top to bottom. If you buy a new one get it from Steve @ Tasca he'll make sure it's protected for shipment. Definitely a drawback on these CF DS's. My understanding is that these CF DS are suppose to "broom" and not shatter like what appeared to happen to the gal from AMR.
 

fullboogie

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Wow I'm really surprised to hear the reactions, I thought it would be okay. As stated already if these things are that fragile a rock bouncing up from the road is death. I will post in the '13/'14 forum and see what they say.

link to video of AM girl breaking driveshaft. Feel like this is a totally different circumstance, IRS and lots of tire shake.

Holy shit that white Mustang had about 17 forward gears!
 

GT Premi

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Start at 5:20.





Do what you want, it's your car. Carbon fiber is an EXTREMELY durable material when it is in tact.

Imagine comparing your shirt to a carbon fiber driveshaft, or anything carbon fiber. It's really hard to grab two handfuls of your shirt, and rip it. If there's the smallest puncture, wear spot, or fray, then it becomes extremely easy to tear. Same goes for carbon fiber. With how it is constructed, it's very tough. However if it's compromised in any way, it will fail.

Carbon fiber doesn't wear out from stress over time. If the shaft were compromised, it would've shattered already. OP, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just put some clear enamel on the scuff and call it a day. I have a worse scuff than that on my CF shaft from road debris bouncing up and hitting it, and it's still kicking. Carbon fiber is an all-or-nothing type material. Some info on CF fatigue. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0142112305001015 Not much to read, other than they couldn't find a "fatigue" limit during testing. On another note:

That thigh gap, tho'!

^Exactly. If the shaft is dropped it looses it's integrity. And this may only show up as what the OP's pic shows. If you go this route don't chance getting it second hand unless it's someone you trust but can also provide detailed pics of the entire shaft top to bottom. If you buy a new one get it from Steve @ Tasca he'll make sure it's protected for shipment. Definitely a drawback on these CF DS's. My understanding is that these CF DS are suppose to "broom" and not shatter like what appeared to happen to the gal from AMR.

Depends on how it's constructed. Some shatter into a million pieces. Some fray. Wet versus dry. The type of resin used, etc. Check out this video.


The solid brick of CF seemed pretty much unbothered by the hydraulic press and actually sounded like the pump would be damaged before the carbon fiber block.

The beauty of CF over a metal shaft is that, if a CF shaft fails, that's the only damage that will occur. If a metal shaft fails and you don't have safety loops front and rear, it's going to do some serious damage to your undercarriage.
 

GNBRETT

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Im sure it will be fine just use it. One of the best mods I did to my car no BS!
 

Imatk

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merkyworks

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Interesting, your damage actually looks deeper in that little spot in the upper left of the scratches.

Here are a few more showing where the scratches are located in relation to everything. Also realizing the 1st pic I posted makes it look worse than they really might be.
IMG_8858-1.jpg

IMG_8861-1.jpg
 

Imatk

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Yeah man I wouldn't sweat that at all. If you wanted to get that epoxy just to fill it, I would, but it's probably not necessary.
 

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