79vetter

I'm installing the driveshaft onto the back of the tranny but my U-joint doesn't fit under the little notch on one side like it does the other. Does this look correct?

HDIronman

That is NOT correct, it has to be seated on both sides. Make sure that both caps are pressed in all the way and they should fit behind notches.

79vetter

yeah..strange because I can't push the caps down any further...

Binnie77

Pull the caps off and check to make sure a needle hasn't fallen out and gotten between the cap and the joint.

dennis

Just a thought. Is it the correct joint? There are 2 dimension joints to use a 71 and later driveshaft(larger) with a 70 and earlier yoke(smaller). Could you have one or the other?

7T1vette

It could be merely that residual air pressure in the cap pushed to out. Loosen the cap retainer and see if you can press it into place. If not, a roller dropped down when you installed the cap, or you have the wrong U-joint (as said above).

Big2Bird

NOPE

78pacer

I bet you have a needle laying down in the cap. I've been there. Glad you asked for help, results may not have been pretty.
Mike

rabiddawg

lol thats the classic needle bearing on the end of the cap syndrome!

79vetter

I pulled the caps off and don't anything unusual in the bottom of it

Big2Bird

The correct part, installed correctly, will fit between the ribs. They keep the caps from "flinging" off at speed.

dennis

Measure the joint. Then measure the yoke.(inside the tabs) You may have a pre 71 yoke. In which case, as I said earlier, you need a 2 dimesional joint, or a correct yoke.

Did you compare the new joint with the old one?(2.25" 71 and later).(2.00" 70 4sp and earlier)

Rdavis

Is there too much grease in it?, it could prevent the cap from going in all the way. Other than that if all the needles are in place then the u-joint must be wrong. Is the other side butted up aginst the tab on the other side?

75 Hot One

If no needle under the cap, compress caps on spider with a C-clamp. But first make sure you don't have an excessive amount of grease on the bearing. Sometimes they're hard to seat if there's trapped air or grease or if a seal gets caught. If that doesn't resolve the problem, you must have the wrong U-joint.

bluthundr

If you are using greaseable joints, you can press the ball bearing down in the zerk fitting with an awl while you compress it to release any air/grease pressure that is not allowing it to fully seat.