'Throw a Couple Zipties On It:' Part Flies Off Jeep Going 80 MPH. Now the Driver Wants To Know If It’s Safe to Keep Driving

"If it was meant to be there, they wouldn’t have made it so it could fly off. Keep on trucking queen."

Photo by: Unsplash.com

Stacy Fernandez

By: Stacy Fernandez

Sep 5, 2025 at 9:00pm ET

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Most people don’t think twice about what’s going on under their car until something important suddenly falls out.

That’s exactly what happened to this person who suddenly noticed a metal rod fly off their car.

Is that Part Important?

In a viral TikTok with more than 910,000 views, content creator and musician Ikky (@ikkyisdead) shared the strange thing that popped out of their car while driving.

In the image, Ikky is proudly holding up a large metal rod with tufts of grass sticking out of it. The photo of Ikky has the same energy and look as those pictures of men beaming while holding a fish they caught.

“Hey guys!! This flew out of my car going 80 on the interstate…is that bad?” Ikky asked in the text overlay. “Soooo…I can still get home, right??” they added in the caption.

The part that came off was the driveshaft, a crucial component.

In an Instagram caption, they shared that they will not be fixing their car because “there's too much wrong with it.” But they won’t be buying another Jeep.

They started a GoFundMe to help them get a new car.

In an Instagram direct message, Ikky admitted that there was a clicking sound leading up to the car part coming off.

“But it was not NEARLY as bad as my previous car had clicked at me. I THOUGHT I had more time to ignore the problem, but here we are. I must be a magnet for car issues,” they wrote.

Ikky added that losing the car stings for more than just convenience. They work as a school picture day photographer, sometimes driving over a thousand miles in a week. Without reliable transportation, photo days get canceled, and for many families, those portraits are the only ones they’ll have of their children each year.

“My job gives me a huge sense of purpose,” they wrote, adding that without a car, “I’ve lost a huge chunk of that feeling.”

Ikky added that they hope the GoFundMe helps them get a replacement car so they can get back to work soon.

Commenters Have Jokes

“Did your car just shart out its spine?” a person asked.

“I've never seen a car self eject it's purpose in life,” another said.

“If you really needed it it wouldn’t have come off. the car knows when it needs to get rid of things that are no longer useful, kinda like an appendix,” a commenter joked.

“Mechanics daughter here Just go ahead and give your paycheck a kiss goodbye,” another chimed in.

What Is a Driveshaft and What Does It Do?

A driveshaft—also called a propeller shaft, prop shaft, or driveline—is a key part of a vehicle’s drivetrain. It is a spinning tube designed to transfer power from the engine to the wheels, Drive Shaft of Tulsa explained.

Think of the driveshaft as the link between your engine and your wheels.

When the engine produces power, the driveshaft carries that spinning energy to the part that turns your wheels, making the car move. It also gives the system some flexibility, so all the moving parts can work together smoothly without breaking.

Not all vehicles use a driveshaft. Front-wheel drive cars don’t have one because their transmission and axle are combined into a single unit called a transaxle. Instead, driveshafts are found in rear-wheel, four-wheel, and all-wheel drive vehicles where the transmission and axle are separate units, AAMCO Bay Area noted.

Most driveshafts are made from aluminum, steel, or carbon fiber, which keeps them strong yet lightweight.

Signs of a Failing Driveshaft

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While driveshafts rarely fail on their own, they can wear down over time due to stress and corrosion. Common warning signs, according to AAMCO Bay Area, include:

Intense vibrations or shuddering: Often caused by worn bushings or U-joints, or a driveshaft that’s out of balance.
Unusual noises: Squeaking, clanking, rattling, or scraping may point to failing bearings or bushings.
Shuddering during acceleration: Frequently the result of a worn center bearing or loose U-joint.
Turning problems: A damaged driveshaft can limit wheel movement, making turning difficult and unsafe.
If you notice any of these issues, you need to have your vehicle inspected right away.

To extend the life of your driveshaft, keep it properly lubricated and have it inspected regularly, especially if your vehicle sees heavy use. Lack of lubrication can accelerate wear and cause premature failure.