2007 M35x Conversion from AWD to RWD by necessity

[Biglsells]

Wife came home the other day complaining of a "clunking" and "my car is making some bad noises". I pulled it into the garage and did my normal oil change service etc. Then I jacked it up and crawled under it only to find the drive shaft servicing the front wheel gear box had broken at the u-joint up front and smashed the gear box beyond repair. The car has about 150k on it and runs like a dream but it's paid for, has a few rust spots above the windshield and I considered it not worth much so I decided to see if I could make it "rear wheel drive" so she can get another 10 months of no car payment out of it.

Here is what I did, hoping you can let me know if this will work or if I should do something else to prolong it's life that I may have missed.

Cut the broken drive shaft and pulled it out (so now in the transfer box mid car that feeds both the rear wheels and previously the front wheels there is a hole where the shaft slid inside)
Removed both CV axles (the front gear box was so damaged that leaving them in the box was clunking and binding still)
Removed the threaded / splined part that goes through the wheel bearings / hub and reinstalled just those so the front wheels turn nothing now.
I cut the boots at the transfer case under the engine and pulled the cv axles out leaving those parts in the gear box instead of monkeying around trying to pry them out.

From what I read these are rear wheal drive cars with front wheel assist. The car drives great aside from not having front wheel traction anymore. Antilock breaks work great, slip protection works fine, no dash lights on, all seems well.

Should I do anything else or should I plan on this thing burning up anything or should I expect it to work just fine? The rest of the car is beautiful and she loves the interior.

Thanks in advance.

[Ilya]

lol, that's pretty crazy that that works. Nice work! Based on my limited experience with this level of work, I think it's fine. I'd drive it till the wheels fall off or your wife demands a new car hah. My wife is young (10 years younger) and is on her first car still (only been driving like 2.5 years)...2001 Toyota Rav4. Thing has 180kmi on it but is rock solid for a first car. My first car was 100x worse (1990 Geo Storm) lol.

[EdBwoy]

Good job!

I also think it's fine as is, as long as you don't get into a slip and the car notices the front wheels aren't turning as directed. Let us know what happens if you run into a low traction condition like that.
Also, I suppose I would pull the AWD fuse, but that could make the gauge cluster light come on.

[Biglsells]

So far working like a champ, did not have to remove any fuses. I did that initially and it lit the dash up, put it back in and even when I have a slip moment it works fine with no issues.

[cruzad3r]

i would like to see pix of this contraption, otherwise it didn't happen

[macgiver]

cruzad3r yah , no pics yet !! ?????????? Hmmmmm yah

[JJM158]

How could you make it rwd just for fun? without destroying the awd system? Thought i heard someone mention an ABS sensor?