Driveshaft/Halfshaft question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
From: Norwalk, Ct
Driveshaft/Halfshaft question
Hey guys I had started replacing my u-joints in both my drive and half shafts and had two strange happen that I have never seen before in all my years of replacing u-joints.
1-After installing a u-joint in one of my halfshafts I noticed that the joint caps almost fell into place like the opening had been enlarged...now I am used to having to tap the joint caps into place with a hammer but nothing the caps are installed as I cycle the joint I can actually see the cap rotate in the housing.Is this ok or do I need to replace the shaft?
2- How easy is it to bent the ears that hold the caps in place?.. I have one shaft that despite my best efforts I cannot get the cap in far enought to install the retaining spring, it's close to not close enough.
3- is there specific way the driveshaft goes back into the car meaning one end of the shaft has balancing weights on it while the other end doesn't. Does the weighted side go towards the trans or the rearend?.
1-After installing a u-joint in one of my halfshafts I noticed that the joint caps almost fell into place like the opening had been enlarged...now I am used to having to tap the joint caps into place with a hammer but nothing the caps are installed as I cycle the joint I can actually see the cap rotate in the housing.Is this ok or do I need to replace the shaft?
2- How easy is it to bent the ears that hold the caps in place?.. I have one shaft that despite my best efforts I cannot get the cap in far enought to install the retaining spring, it's close to not close enough.
3- is there specific way the driveshaft goes back into the car meaning one end of the shaft has balancing weights on it while the other end doesn't. Does the weighted side go towards the trans or the rearend?.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,416
Likes: 1,825
From: Apple Valley, MN
It is unlikely you can bend the ears on the driveshaft but nothing is impossible if you try hard enough. The flanges, on the other hand, are easily bent which may be your issue but hard to be certain without a picture.
The shaft can be installed either way.
The shaft can be installed either way.
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From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
From: Norwalk, Ct
Guys could it be that the some of the joint caps are a little underize ?, my old joints were it there pretty snug and slightly rusted in place.
I purchased the set from a well known Corvette reproduction company.
I purchased the set from a well known Corvette reproduction company.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,693
Likes: 1,834
From: Huntsville AL
If you can actually see the cap rotate than the hole is oversize or the U-Joint is undersize, I would lean towards a bad hole. As for the retaining spring issue I'm assuming this is on the flange side, if so you have a bent flange.
Sounds like you need to disassemble and start over.
Sounds like you need to disassemble and start over.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
From: Norwalk, Ct
If you can actually see the cap rotate than the hole is oversize or the U-Joint is undersize, I would lean towards a bad hole. As for the retaining spring issue I'm assuming this is on the flange side, if so you have a bent flange.
Sounds like you need to disassemble and start over.
Sounds like you need to disassemble and start over.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
From: Norwalk, Ct
I got them from Paragon and there doesn't seem to be a name brand name on the joints. I may try and get spicers and see if they fit better.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
OP, if you're trying to determine if you might have "tweaked" something, when replacing the joints, try pressing one or two of your old caps in place, to see if they fit snugly. Or, get a micrometer, and measure their OD, and compare it to your new caps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,188
Likes: 4,010
From: Connecticut, USA
You have to measure the caps and yoke. Spicers are the best, some places sell cheaper parts in name and quality so simple measurement between the new and old if you still have them should show what is going on. If the yokes were cleaned it's possible they were made oversize.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 505
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
Years ago I used my torch to remove a very hard to remove U joint. Years later I had a very funny song coming from the rear on the freeway. I replaced the whole half shaft and found out that the holes were worn out on both the flange and the one end of the half shaft. I am sure that it was because I had heated up both parts to get the U joint out and it never contracted enough when it cooled off. Lou.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,188
Likes: 4,010
From: Connecticut, USA
Years ago I used my torch to remove a very hard to remove U joint. Years later I had a very funny song coming from the rear on the freeway. I replaced the whole half shaft and found out that the holes were worn out on both the flange and the one end of the half shaft. I am sure that it was because I had heated up both parts to get the U joint out and it never contracted enough when it cooled off. Lou.
While anything is possible I can say I have burnt out old joints for years without any issue with the flange or yokes. I have found worn yokes before and after cleaning them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,041
Likes: 505
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
This happened about three years ago. These were my original 68 half shafts with well over 100,000 miles on them. I had greasable U joints on them after the factory ones gave out. The noise was a sound on the freeway only and it would sing and it kept changing its pitch slightly, back and forth. I remember needing my oxy/ acet torch to heat up the ears only on one end of one half shaft. I changed out the originals and that is what I found only one one end with the flange. Too much of a coincedence in my book. The holes were very loose on both ends of the one outer U joint. Lou.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 492
Likes: 35
From: Norwalk, Ct
This happened about three years ago. These were my original 68 half shafts with well over 100,000 miles on them. I had greasable U joints on them after the factory ones gave out. The noise was a sound on the freeway only and it would sing and it kept changing its pitch slightly, back and forth. I remember needing my oxy/ acet torch to heat up the ears only on one end of one half shaft. I changed out the originals and that is what I found only one one end with the flange. Too much of a coincedence in my book. The holes were very loose on both ends of the one outer U joint. Lou.