Binding half shaft U Joints

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Feb 5, 2023 | 10:50 AM

C4toC2

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Oct 2014

Posts: 231

Likes: 24

From: Auburn California

Binding half shaft U Joints

Had the 71 big block up on jack stands and went to turn on of the wheels. Sure enough, the inside U Joints do bind. So I'm wondering if this is factory or if the KYB shocks that were installed are too long allowing too much downward travel.

Feb 5, 2023 | 11:01 AM

Hammerhead Fred

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 2,095

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From: Midlothian VA

If you've got it up on jack stands with the trailing arms hanging down w/o any support they will indeed bind.
You need to raise the trailing arms up to something approaching ride height in order to turn the rear wheels.

Feb 5, 2023 | 12:40 PM

kansas123

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 2,815

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From: Wichita Kansas

Raise the rear via the differential, then carefully raise both trailing arms a little at a time to keep from toppling the car over

Feb 5, 2023 | 06:10 PM

derekderek

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 13,082

Likes: 3,399

From: SW Florida.

So if you go over a high spot in the road and the car lifts off the suspension, are you damaging the u-joints?

Feb 5, 2023 | 10:06 PM

leigh1322

Old Pro Solo Guy

Joined: Dec 2017

Posts: 8,094

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From: Marlton NJ

The Chevy power book recommends the following for racing prep, make sure the shocks prevent the u-joints from going into bind during suspension droop, or use limiter straps.

Feb 5, 2023 | 10:12 PM

interpon

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2019

Posts: 7,658

Likes: 2,470

From: Indiana

Exactly what i was thinking. I always turn wheels (manually ) when off ground no issues.
the bilsteins hd shocks i put on limited the drop even more than original shocks.
now no shocks on would be an issue I suspect at full droop?

Feb 6, 2023 | 11:34 AM