Damage due to blowout?

[JHZR2]

Had a blowout on what I’d consider to be perfect Cooper CS5 Ultra tires on my 300CD. Left rear, not sure why. Didn’t hit a pothole, don’t think I had FOD damage.

Was going 65-70MPH when that happened.

What kind of damage can occur when changing quickly from high to lower speed on one axle? I’d imagine it’s a bigger speed difference than cornering.

I know it’s part of the design considerations, but it’s a 40 year old car that has a bit of whine from the diff, so trying to understand if this could increase damage on the diff.

It’s open, not LSD, FWIW.

 

[dishdude]

No damage at all. No different than being stuck in mud or snow.

 

[JHZR2]

No damage at all. No different than being stuck in mud or snow.

I was doing 65 or 70….

 

[ZeeOSix]

I was doing 65 or 70….

But both axles were still turning, so the reative speed difference would be no worse than spinning one wheel a lot in snow while the other side didn't spin. I use to spin one wheel in snow while going 5~10 MPH, and the speed would be showing 50~60 MPH. Never had any differential problems.

 

[JHZR2]

But both axles were still turning, so the reative speed difference would be no worse than spinning one wheel a lot in snow while the other side didn't spin. I use to spin one wheel in snow while going 5~10 MPH, and the speed would be showing 50~60 MPH. Never had any differential problems.

Ok. I always think of the 60hp to push a car 60 mph that I saw in some eons old advertisement. I’d think the power at speed might be higher than breakaway at low speed, but I have no idea/data.

And I know it’s a design consideration.

Just a little concerned with this diff since I’ve seen a bit of metal in the oil, and it has a slight whine from 40-55ish mph.

 

[Trav]

I would say nothing happened to it, hitting a pothole is probably worse for the wheel bearings.

 

[billt460]

Don't worry, you didn't do any damage to the differential. I would be more concerned about any body damage. Rubber flying off a tire at 70 MPH has a lot of kinetic energy. Everything on the body OK?

 

[4wd]

Had junk off a truck instantly take out the rear 285 on a GMC (G80) doing 70 mph … That‘s a differential where you don’t mix spare tire sizes - yet no damage …

 

[Kira]

Forgive my ignorance but tell me what a 40 year old "300CD" is, please. I checked for a vehicle but "public profile" isn't a feature anymore.
Is it a Benz...a pre-merger Chrysler?

 

[ragtoplvr]

The way a open differential works , the spinning wheel has TWICE the mph n the dash. So if you are on ice and spin one at 60 mph. while going 10 mph, the difference is 50 and the tire is spinning at 100 mph plus the 10 you are already traveling. I had a friend that refused to believe me, spun a tire at over 100 indicated doing a burnout.. The resulting tire explosion damage was massive, you could see into the trunk from outside, and see the ground thru the wheel well from inside. Has someone been sitting in the back seat on that side they probably would have in injured. However the differential was fine.

Rod

 

[IndyIan]

There's way more load on the diff accelerating in 1st gear, when one tire slips, spins, and catches. Look up wheel hop, and you will see how much abuse most drivetrains can handle once in a while, especially with normal street tires. Sticky rubber will break stuff more quickly of course. Also spinning one tire on ice to excessive speeds will destroy a diff eventually too but that's like a minute plus of 60mph on the dash, with one tire stopped and the other is going 120mph!

 

[tyman]

Had a blowout going 75mph years ago in my then GMC Sonoma truck. It was right rear and only reason I noticed it was because the tire started thumping and it got a little bouncy. Put donut on, drove 30mi back to Colorado Springs, and got a new tire the next day, and drove back 7 hours home the day after that with zero issues.

 

[Nick1994]

Should be fine, the tire blew out but the rim still spins, no tire to keep traction so it’ll spin no problem. And especially as long as it doesn’t have a locking differential.

How old are the tires?

 

[JHZR2]

Don't worry, you didn't do any damage to the differential. I would be more concerned about any body damage. Rubber flying off a tire at 70 MPH has a lot of kinetic energy. Everything on the body OK?

Tire held together. Nothing ripped off. It’s like it just popped. All of a sudden I heard a loud growling noise. Nothing else, no warning signs.


Fortunately the car was stable and I could get over easily.

 

[JHZR2]

Should be fine, the tire blew out but the rim still spins, no tire to keep traction so it’ll spin no problem. And especially as long as it doesn’t have a locking differential.

How old are the tires?

2016 Cooper CS5 ultra, maybe 1000 miles on them?

 

[meep]

I see no worries. Remember, in addition to it only being a partial rpm change, the traction element itself was compromised. The diff was padded by a deflated tire.

more to it, glad your ok @JHZR2!

 

[DGXR]

I agree, the differential is most likely OK. It's not as if the axle holding the blown tire suddenly stopped spinning. I would guess that axle got maybe 30% reduction in speed, at most. Over the next week I would listen for odd noises from the diff and wheel bearings (rear end in general) and then try to forget about it LOL. I'm sure that was not a fun experience, glad you are OK.

 

[Astro14]

I wouldn’t expect any mechanical damage. Check the suspension, and particularly the brake lines/hoses, for impact damage and then buy a new tire and forget about it.

 

[14Accent]

You definitely didn't hurt anything as far as the diff is concerned. I suppose the rim could have taken some damage, but unlikely.

I had a rear tire blow on my old '93 Camry doing around 70, and the force was so great that it literally tore a hole in the sheet metal between the wheel well and the trunk. Now THAT'S some force.