Yet another Half Shaft install question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Cranston R.I.
Yet another Half Shaft install question
Vital statistics 1978 L48 auto
I pulled out both of my half shafts the other night and played it safe by bringing them to the Drive shaft shop and let them dismantle and install the new joints. Here is where the fun stopped. One of the guys at the shop said that one of the u-joint caps looked like it had some wear like it may have rotated in the yoke. He suggested getting a new saddle clamp and that may stop any rotation.
I stopped at the Chevy dealer and he looked up the part but said it no longer exists, it is on his screen but no part number still exists.
Here is my question, on the drivers side yoke there are two clamps that use nuts to attach the Ujoint to the yoke, almost like a muffler clamp part.
On the pass side there are two saddle block type pieces that use 5/8 bolts to hold the U joints to the yoke. Can I use the loop type clamps in place of the blocks on the pass side? Is this a Bubaerized prior repair I am coming across?
ps is it 75 ft # at flange side and 15 ft# the yokes for torque.
Thanks for your patience
Bill in RI
I pulled out both of my half shafts the other night and played it safe by bringing them to the Drive shaft shop and let them dismantle and install the new joints. Here is where the fun stopped. One of the guys at the shop said that one of the u-joint caps looked like it had some wear like it may have rotated in the yoke. He suggested getting a new saddle clamp and that may stop any rotation.
I stopped at the Chevy dealer and he looked up the part but said it no longer exists, it is on his screen but no part number still exists.
Here is my question, on the drivers side yoke there are two clamps that use nuts to attach the Ujoint to the yoke, almost like a muffler clamp part.
On the pass side there are two saddle block type pieces that use 5/8 bolts to hold the U joints to the yoke. Can I use the loop type clamps in place of the blocks on the pass side? Is this a Bubaerized prior repair I am coming across?
ps is it 75 ft # at flange side and 15 ft# the yokes for torque.
Thanks for your patience
Bill in RI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,419
Likes: 1,555
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Corvette rear parts need only professionals to work on them.
Most shops don't have a clue about replacing half shaft "U" joints. My guess is that if he did not use a special tool he bent the half shaft while replacing the "U" joint. Ask if he used this tool and if not then they bent the half shaft. www.volvette.com part # tl30. PG.
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: salisbury missouri
ok corvetts come from factory with the u-bolt or the block caps,
the u-bolt where l48 and the block caps where heavy-duty like 4-speed cars i do beleave.
i have an 1980 l48 and it has an auto and it has u-bolt style caps wish i had the block caps on mine there stronger.
i would say you can not switch to u-bolts on a shaft setup for the heavy duty 5/8 caps.
i would take a look at the shaft myself and see the wear,post a picture of the problem and let us look at it for you.
ps sombody has put a diferent halfshaft in your car should be u-bolt keepers if it is an automatic transmission
the u-bolt where l48 and the block caps where heavy-duty like 4-speed cars i do beleave.
i have an 1980 l48 and it has an auto and it has u-bolt style caps wish i had the block caps on mine there stronger.
i would say you can not switch to u-bolts on a shaft setup for the heavy duty 5/8 caps.
i would take a look at the shaft myself and see the wear,post a picture of the problem and let us look at it for you.
ps sombody has put a diferent halfshaft in your car should be u-bolt keepers if it is an automatic transmission
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: salisbury missouri
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-5-303-1439.html
mid-america has your cap
part # 612-548 click on the site i posted and go to part # and see if that is what you need.
mid-america has your cap
part # 612-548 click on the site i posted and go to part # and see if that is what you need.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Sounds like someone replaced the diff side yoke with a std or HD one. The center to center on the holes may be off between using a cap and u bolt.
As stated the 1/2 shaft flange was probably bent. They are still available, spicer makes them.
Check the shaft ends for dings and dents from being compressed in a vise.
The U joint pictured in the vendor link is not recommended, see the zerk fitting.
The joints and shafts are the same per side, if all else is ok leave the odd ball setup in the diff and correct the 1/2 shaft flange problem.
Removing these is best done by burning them out or cutting out with a grinder. Pressing is not easy and may damage the flange if not correctly supported. You can look up my thread on this job as well, it has a lot of pic's.
As stated the 1/2 shaft flange was probably bent. They are still available, spicer makes them.
Check the shaft ends for dings and dents from being compressed in a vise.
The U joint pictured in the vendor link is not recommended, see the zerk fitting.
The joints and shafts are the same per side, if all else is ok leave the odd ball setup in the diff and correct the 1/2 shaft flange problem.
Removing these is best done by burning them out or cutting out with a grinder. Pressing is not easy and may damage the flange if not correctly supported. You can look up my thread on this job as well, it has a lot of pic's.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 699
Likes: 3
From: Millersville, MD
Sounds like someone replaced the diff side yoke with a std or HD one. The center to center on the holes may be off between using a cap and u bolt.
As stated the 1/2 shaft flange was probably bent. They are still available, spicer makes them.
Check the shaft ends for dings and dents from being compressed in a vise.
The U joint pictured in the vendor link is not recommended, see the zerk fitting.
The joints and shafts are the same per side, if all else is ok leave the odd ball setup in the diff and correct the 1/2 shaft flange problem.
Removing these is best done by burning them out or cutting out with a grinder. Pressing is not easy and may damage the flange if not correctly supported. You can look up my thread on this job as well, it has a lot of pic's.
As stated the 1/2 shaft flange was probably bent. They are still available, spicer makes them.
Check the shaft ends for dings and dents from being compressed in a vise.
The U joint pictured in the vendor link is not recommended, see the zerk fitting.
The joints and shafts are the same per side, if all else is ok leave the odd ball setup in the diff and correct the 1/2 shaft flange problem.
Removing these is best done by burning them out or cutting out with a grinder. Pressing is not easy and may damage the flange if not correctly supported. You can look up my thread on this job as well, it has a lot of pic's.
I had my u-joints professionally installed on the flange end and then I installed the shafts myself. Any competent drive shaft shop can do this and it usually is very inexpensive. You can also purchase a full half-shaft setup ready to install if needed.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Cranston R.I.
Hey, Thanks for all the replys. I am hoping this Ujoint adventure will cure what I originaly thought might be trailing arm bushings. The drivers side joint was practially just dust and metal. I let R.I. Driveshaft install 4 new Ujoints in the half shafts but I got a bit rattled when I saw the two different set ups for holding the U joints in the yokes. You would think if someone went thru all the trouble of changing one yoke to heavy duty they would have done both at the same time.
I am just going to button this puppy up and get some summer wind blowing in my face. Summer comes and goes way too quick up here in the Northeast. Now if it will ever stop raining for a day or two that would help too.
Thanks again for the help and the link for the cap
Bill in R.I.
I am just going to button this puppy up and get some summer wind blowing in my face. Summer comes and goes way too quick up here in the Northeast. Now if it will ever stop raining for a day or two that would help too.
Thanks again for the help and the link for the cap
Bill in R.I.
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