half shaft u joints
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
half shaft u joints
So i bought new U Joints and flanges for my 69 BB car. well, the ujoints don't fit the halff-shaft but they do fit the new flanges. They are 1/8" too long for the stock half-shaft. Any ideas on this?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
Likes: 3,985
From: Connecticut, USA
I just posted this 2 days ago. All 63-79 1/2 shafts are 1350. Spicer 5-1350X will fit them all, unless the flange or yoke is bent.
Solid Spicer Install - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Solid Spicer Install - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
I bought MOOG 232 That are 3 5/8 but they won't press in to allow me to put in the retaining clips. The distance between the retaining clip grooves on the half shaft is 3 1/2. The new flange does however allow them to press in and put in the retaining clips. I'm baffled...
Last edited by Bkerns308; Aug 2, 2022 at 05:57 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 1,821
From: Apple Valley, MN
Carefully remove the caps (on a clean, level working surface). Make sure there isn’t a roller lying in the bottom of the cap.
Once you’ve verified no stray rollers, place the joint in a vice and carefully squeeze the caps down. You might hear a subtle “pop” and the caps will fully seat, allowing you to install.
Once you’ve verified no stray rollers, place the joint in a vice and carefully squeeze the caps down. You might hear a subtle “pop” and the caps will fully seat, allowing you to install.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
So I tried compressing the joints in a vice before install, they will not compress to the 3 1/2" that I measure between the retaining clip grooves. I'm at a loss. I can't figure why the new flange fits them perfectly and the old half shaft won't. I am going to measure the differential to see what the spread is there for the u joint. to see what I am facing there as well. I would think MOOG brand would be a quality part, but do I need to try the Spicer?
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
The u-joint sounds like it's fine. The distance between the ring grooves should be 3-5/8 same on the shaft and the flanges.
If you're measuring 3-1/2 on the shaft then that must be bent.
M
If you're measuring 3-1/2 on the shaft then that must be bent.
M
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Well, that isn't what I wanted to hear but I can't say that it doesn't make sense. I couldn't get the joints out so I had a shop do them. They said they were stuck pretty good. So, I guess I will search for new half-shafts. Thanks for all the help and advice.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Put up an ad in the parts wanted section, lots of guys with parts cars, not sure where your located, doesn't hurt to include it in your profile, never know who lives down the street
M
M
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 1,821
From: Apple Valley, MN
Sounds like they beat the snot out of them.