Dana 18 output shaft

Anyone ever seen a Dana 18 transfer case output shaft with a crack that look this? How is this possible? This came from my parts transfer case.

 

Wow! Almost looks like it's from an abrupt stop. was jeep In an accident ?

 

I had one that broke at the base of the threads. No idea how or when it actually happened.

 

I can see an axle shaft doing this. Not an output shaft.

 

That is a classic torsional crack.

 

Seen a few 18 output shafts do that. Usually the gears go first though. Seen a bunch of 20 and 300 output shafts look like that.
Usually caused by large tires, too much torque/hp, and/or too much application of throttle.


Sent from my iPhone

 

First they twist, then they crack, then they break. Sometimes all three in about a millisecond.