Ratchet strap vs. drive shaft

Hello Hive! Long time looker, first time advice seeker... Recently I helped someone move, and one of the ratchet straps holding the mattress down in the (brand new to me) truck had the excess strap go between the cab and the bed, wrap around the driveshaft, and break the strap off at the buckle with a violent bang. My fault for assuming everyone secured the ends as I do and not checking, but what would the hive recommend inspecting to make sure there is no driveline/suspension/etc damage? I feel like that shock load had to be pretty big (it absolutely crushed the box spring and did bend the front of the bed a bit but no visible damage to driveshaft). I can't feel any vibrations, aside from the ones I think I feel because I'm all paranoid now. Truck seems to track fairly straight. Don't really notice any new noises or anything

Any thoughts? Have a beer and not worry about it? Buy new truck because it will always be in the back of my mind?

The second part of that last sentence - Do Eeet. And welcome.

That driveshaft is built to take the force of your truck doing a big, nasty, wheelhop-filled burnout with a trailer hitched up and 4 scooters in the bed, plus a factor of safety. The ratchet strap, on the other hand, was designed to keep just one of said scooters from escaping during said burnout. I'd say you're probably fine, but if you really want to test, go execute the aforementioned procedure. Please film it, for science.

Sounds like it was pretty exciting. If the truck runs the same and you don't notice any new vibrations it's probably okay. It would be worth at least running the truck on jackstands so you can visually inspect the driveshaft for vibrations or bends, and/or taking it to a driveline shop to have it checked.

So, Hive theory sounds like I need to have a few beers, grab my camera, and go find a nice patch of pavement???

Exciting may not be the word I use. More poo inducing than exciting... Thought about checking runout on the drive shaft.

I wouldn't worry about it, but then again I have a vehicle with a driveshaft balanced with a pair of hose clamps.

if you dont get any vibrations from 0-80 mph then i would sit back and enjoy your beer

Breaking strength of strap? Did it wrap around the very middle of a long driveshaft? Or did it wrap around near a u-joint?

A 1" strap can have a breaking strength of 900#.

As long as the driveshaft isn't crushed at the point where it was wrapped, you're probably fine.

I had a co-worker that attached a tie down strap to the driveshaft because it was the only thing she could see that "looked easy to tie off to under the truck". I managed to drive about 6' before the driveshaft bent and pulled out of the transmission. It buckled the sides of the bed and destroyed the automatic transfer switch that we had tied down. This happened in our head office parking lot. I got the blame for not checking to see where she had tied off. In my wildest dreams I never envisioned someone doing what she did but it taught me a valuable lesson.

No vibes up to 65 or so, haven't taken it out on the highway yet. No idea on strap rating, wasn't my strap... Middle-ish of the shaft. No crush that I could see, but warrants closer inspection. And, yes, I too have learned a valuable lesson!

In reply to M16ta:

If it was crushed or even damaged, you'd feel it.

Steel or aluminum shaft?

Get the rear tires off the ground, chock the front wheels, shift to neutral, inspect the shaft, if it's free of dents, dings, creases, etc. carry on. I suppose you could go under there with a straightedge to check things out better.

I highly doubt you hurt the suspension, might check the transmission mount (quick visual check) though.

edizzle89 wrote: if you dont get any vibrations from 0-80 mph then i would sit back and enjoy your beer

But don't enjoy your beer at 80 mph. Wait till you are home and the truck is parked.

In reply to T.J.:

guud powint

T.J. wrote:

edizzle89 wrote: if you dont get any vibrations from 0-80 mph then i would sit back and enjoy your beer

But don't enjoy your beer at 80 mph. Wait till you are home and the truck is parked.

Or have a designated driver

Look at us! Not one "If it was a Chevy" or "If it was a Ford" comment! I'm so proud of us.

T.J. wrote:

edizzle89 wrote: if you dont get any vibrations from 0-80 mph then i would sit back and enjoy your beer

But don't enjoy your beer at 80 mph. Wait till you are home and the truck is parked.

obviously, because if it did cause a vibration it would shake your beer all up, dont want that

pinchvalve wrote: Look at us! Not one "If it was a Chevy" or "If it was a Ford" comment! I'm so proud of us.

I just assumed that he had the common sense to own a Chevy.

Stampie

Keith Tanner wrote: As long as the driveshaft isn't crushed at the point where it was wrapped, you're probably fine.

what the guy who drives a Miata faster than Mazda ever dreamed they would go said.

What color is this truck?

Al-u-minium shaft. Thanks to all you, I'm leaning towards having a designated driver as I Keanu Reeves it under my truck on a sled to check for runout, after a few beers! Ok, maybe not... But, I intentionally left out make/model to avoid the brand pissing contest, and I too must say "good job" to everyone for not even asking! Although, no, I don't have any common sense as Stampie has suggested. And, just to play along with Dr. Hess - it's a charcoal grayish color