Drive Shaft and U-Joints
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 44
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From: Stonybrook, NY USA
Drive Shaft and U-Joints
I'm putting in new u-joints and in the process painted the driveshaft. Need to know how to identify which end of the drive shaft is front/back. Marked the drive shaft when I took it off but painted over it ...!
Anyone have any clues ??
:eek:
Anyone have any clues ??
:eek:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: Drive Shaft and U-Joints (DarkBlue82)
I don't think I can offer much help.
Is there even a visible or measurable difference between one end of the driveshaft and the other.
I have always been told to, and have always, marked both ends of the driveshaft where the U-joints mate to the trans yoke and the differential when removing the shaft so that it can be put back just like it came off.
I've done that because supposedly it helps keep "the system" balanced.
Now, I guess I've never quite understood that because I always thought the driveshaft was balanced off of the car. For orientation to make a difference, it'd have to be balanced while on the car.
I guess if you put it back on and get some vibration, you could try another configuration. By turning the driveshaft front to rear and mating it with the two possible ways on either end, you'd have 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 different combinations, yes? It'd be a pain, but possible.
I guess another alternative is to see if someone could rebalance the driveshaft while it on the car. Is that done?
Is there anyway you could use thinner to remove just enough paint to find the front and then repaint?
Sorry, I know this isn't very helpful.
Is there even a visible or measurable difference between one end of the driveshaft and the other.
I have always been told to, and have always, marked both ends of the driveshaft where the U-joints mate to the trans yoke and the differential when removing the shaft so that it can be put back just like it came off.
I've done that because supposedly it helps keep "the system" balanced.
Now, I guess I've never quite understood that because I always thought the driveshaft was balanced off of the car. For orientation to make a difference, it'd have to be balanced while on the car.
I guess if you put it back on and get some vibration, you could try another configuration. By turning the driveshaft front to rear and mating it with the two possible ways on either end, you'd have 2 x 2 x 2 = 8 different combinations, yes? It'd be a pain, but possible.
I guess another alternative is to see if someone could rebalance the driveshaft while it on the car. Is that done?
Is there anyway you could use thinner to remove just enough paint to find the front and then repaint?
Sorry, I know this isn't very helpful.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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Re: Drive Shaft and U-Joints (DarkBlue82)
Should'nt really matter, but most shafts I've R&R'd, the balance weight was towards the transmission.
Does your '82 have gymkhana suspension??? Otherwise it will have those E-10 Torx head bolts on the halfshafts. The rear driveshaft flange will have those small 12 point 1/4" bolts. Your halfshafts will have these small 12 pt 1/4" bolts if your '82 is non-gymkhana suspension car. Be careful and make sure your socket gets a good grip on these. You round these "off" and you WILL NOT have a pleasant day.:sad:Use heat(a torch) if you need to. :yesnod:
Does your '82 have gymkhana suspension??? Otherwise it will have those E-10 Torx head bolts on the halfshafts. The rear driveshaft flange will have those small 12 point 1/4" bolts. Your halfshafts will have these small 12 pt 1/4" bolts if your '82 is non-gymkhana suspension car. Be careful and make sure your socket gets a good grip on these. You round these "off" and you WILL NOT have a pleasant day.:sad:Use heat(a torch) if you need to. :yesnod:
