Rusty Bowtie

General Category => Moose's Tech Corner => Topic started by: themoose on February 03, 2013, 09:55:53 AM

Title: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: themoose on February 03, 2013, 09:55:53 AM: Drive shafts and universal joints seem like a pretty simple and basic part of an automobile but like anything else there's more to them that first meets the eye. The attached information covers the subject in great depth and might come in handy when setting up your drive train or chasing that annoying and elusive vibration.

Moose
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: chopper526 on March 01, 2013, 09:16:01 AM: Excellent article. I read it front to back. Here's a question I have; on my '32 the yoke seems to stick out very far from the tailshaft of the T400 transmission, so that only about a third of the yoke is engaged at rest. Does that seem right to you guys? Jim
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: themoose on March 01, 2013, 09:50:56 AM: Quote from: chopper526 on March 01, 2013, 09:16:01 AM
Excellent article. I read it front to back. Here's a question I have; on my '32 the yoke seems to stick out very far from the tailshaft of the T400 transmission, so that only about a third of the yoke is engaged at rest. Does that seem right to you guys? Jim

Jim
That might be a little to far out. In most applications the slip travel should be a minimum is 3/4 inch and more than 1 inch is not necessary. This is measured with the rear suspension supported on safety stands or with the rear end on the ground. Sounds like the shaft might be a little short.
Moose
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: EDNY on March 01, 2013, 10:43:18 AM: Don't know much about the THM400 yoke length..bit have noticed a couple different lengths with the yokes on 700R4 tranny driveshafts. Just mention this in case you need more yoke travel length...there may be longer yokes out there?

In any event would make sure you have the correct driveshaft length.
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: chopper526 on March 01, 2013, 01:11:36 PM: Thanks, I'll measure it this weekend. I think it might be 2" or more. Maybe a new driveshaft is in order.
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: ghost28 on March 02, 2013, 10:44:32 AM: Quote from: chopper526 on March 01, 2013, 01:11:36 PM
Thanks, I'll measure it this weekend. I think it might be 2" or more. Maybe a new driveshaft is in order.
Most shops can just put a longer tube and rebalance using all your existing joints...
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: cocobolo on February 28, 2014, 10:59:47 AM: Moose..yet another excellent article. And here I thought I knew something about driveshafts...ppffffft!
Title: Re: Drive shafts and U-Joints
Post by: 62131 on April 25, 2017, 09:21:30 PM: Very interesting article, I see there's more work to be done before my rear end gets put in permanently.