1981 Half Shaft Replacement
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Bluffdale Utah
1981 Half Shaft Replacement
Interestingly, my wife noticed that one of the rear tires on my 1981 sits into the wheel well a bit further than the one on the opposite side. It really does too. I remember the person I bought the car from noted that he had the half shaft on one side replaced...it happens to be the side that has the problem. I can see that the one in question has been replaced.
What is the likely cause of this? Could the half-shaft be shorter than the stock original? Remedy?
Now I see it and know about it, it will drive me nuts until I fix it.
Thanks in advance.
Brad
What is the likely cause of this? Could the half-shaft be shorter than the stock original? Remedy?
Now I see it and know about it, it will drive me nuts until I fix it.
Thanks in advance.
Brad
Racer
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 268
Likes: 13
From: Palmdale Ca
A shorter half shaft couldn't cause this without bending the trailing arm first. Maybe one side has a wheel spacer? If you haven't had the car very long and never had the wheels off, that's where I'd start. Take the wheel off that sets out the farthest and see if it has a spacer under it.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
OP, can you measure the camber of the rear wheels? Is it the same on both sides?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Bluffdale Utah
Admittedly, I was being lazy to ask the question. I think it's time to crawl under the car and take some measurements. Sounds like it might answer some questions here too. I've questioned also whether the replacement half-shaft was for an earlier year. I'll find out and share my findings.
BTW, the car only has the wheel spacers I've put on it to allow me to run my Weld Pro Stars.
Thanks for ALL the replies.
BTW, the car only has the wheel spacers I've put on it to allow me to run my Weld Pro Stars.
Thanks for ALL the replies.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 955
Likes: 50
From: Jersey Shore
The halfshafts from earlier cars are longer, so if a wrong one was installed, you would have severe positive camber.
early shafts are 13 7/8"
80-82 shafts are 13 1/2"
I would have a look at the strut rods. See if the adjustment bolts are in the same location on both sides.
early shafts are 13 7/8"
80-82 shafts are 13 1/2"
I would have a look at the strut rods. See if the adjustment bolts are in the same location on both sides.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,713
Likes: 550
From: Seattle Washington
If you should end up replaceing a 1/2 Shaft on your 81 keep in mind that Auto's and Manual Trans Cars used diffrent 1/2 Shafts. Auto's used Spicer 1330 and Manuals used 1350 U-Joints.
