I haven't been in the garage for a couple weeks due to prior weekend commitments but today I wanted to finish installing my u-joints on my half shafts, get the drive shaft & half shafts in and run my new brake lines. As my rebuilt trailing arms arriving this week to install.

well I got out in the garage at 9 am and by 12 pm I was steaming mad, mainly at me but also the crap I bought.

I found I needed a new half shaft flange a couple weeks ago so I ordered one through ebay for $39. I went for price as I am watching my wallet? Bad move, I got the flange, prepped & painted it last week and during my install of the u-joints the dam casting cracked. after inspecting it I found the bore hole was off center in the casting and the wall thickness just wasn't there (like a stock GM one). dam hole was way off center with minimal casting thickness on one side? I got it from a corvette shop in NY, maybe I was cocked a little in the press but it broke anyway.

the other half shaft & flange (stock) went together fine. first I was mad because I didn't have it lined up, second I was mad I didn't inspect the quality better or the bore etc? third I was mad someone would sell this ****?
Now I will scour the site for a stock original replacement flange, I broke my own rule....buy american, I can't find any markings on the new cast flange so I assume it's an over sea's re pop.
now I have to wait to get another one, just another bump in the road!
Paul

 

I think I have one in my garage. If I can find it, you can have it.

 

I've installed many U-joints over the years and not my favorite thing to do but those flanges are tricky to install the u-joint without bending or cracking the flange. Better to let someone with corvette experience do it.

 

There's an easy to do this without bending the flange. Get a piece of flat stock about 1/4-3/8" thick, set the flange end down on it to trace out the holes, drill out the holes and bolt flange to it. It wont bend or break.