Joe Flanagan Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 Just wanted to post some pictures of the stock drive shaft from my 49 Plymouth: I was wondering if the end shown below should have a cover over it like the end shown in the photo after it: Should it look like this?: After reading some old posts on drive shafts and U-joints, it seems like the conventional wisdom is to trash this thing and get a new shaft with modern joints. Sounds like rebuild kits for the ball and trunnion joints are expensive and the replacement rubber boots are crappy. Anybody care to rebut the conventional wisdom? Can they just be taken apart and re-greased? I know re-installing the pin is a nightmare, from what I've read. Don't know if I'd even take the pins out if I did mess with it. Unless you have to in order to service it. Quote
TodFitch Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 I actually had more vibration problems with my modern drive shaft and went back to the original. The originals are a bit like CV joints: As long as you keep the dirt out they'll last a long time. And as long as the housing hasn't gotten worn where the balls move back and forth, then they are pretty cheap to repair. Used to be, and I think it is still true, that you can get the rollers, balls, etc. as a separate much cheaper service kit. But as long as they are kept lubricated with clean grease, that will not be needed very often. Yes, there should be a cover over the end. And there is supposed to be a spring between the end of the driveshaft and the cover to keep the shaft generally centered between the transmission and rear axle. I've had better luck with the leather boots than with the rubber boots. I think most of the rubber boots are old stock ready to fail, but the leather, especially if slightly greasy or oily, seem to last forever if properly installed. PS: You don't need to remove the pin if all you are doing is cleaning out the old grease and re-lubricating them. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 If you had a vibration problem with that shaft, it was probably because you don't have the centering spring in it to keep it steady. Somewhere I read that on old time hint to center the pin was to use a penny as a guide. The pin should stick out exactly the diameter of a penny held next to it on either side of the shaft. I've never tried it, but if I ever take the shaft out, I will see if its reasonable. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Posted October 24, 2011 Thank you, Tod. Good to know. I would like to re-lubricate it with clean grease, replace the boots, and see how it does. I took this car apart some years ago and I seem to recall there was another, shorter section of drive shaft. I can't swear by that, but for some reason I have that recollection. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Posted October 24, 2011 Niel, I don't know if there was a vibration problem since I never drove the car. It had been rotting away for about twenty years before I ever touched it. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 I suggest that you don't put it together without a spring and cover on both ends. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Posted October 24, 2011 I have the spring. Just need to locate the cover. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 Desperate times call for deserate measures. Its not a micrometer fit, make one out of flat sheet metal stock. Once you bolt it in, it ain't goin' anywhere. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 24, 2011 Author Report Posted October 24, 2011 Ah, good idea. And not as desperate as I've been in the past. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 Get off the computer and GET TO WORK! Quote
Chester Brzostowski Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 Ah, good idea. And not as desperate as I've been in the past. Joe, They do sell a rebuild kit. Just an FYI, Chet... Quote
Chester Brzostowski Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 I have the spring. Just need to locate the cover. A second thought. The cover might be just stuck to whichever end of the drive train it was connected to. Chet… Quote
TodFitch Posted October 24, 2011 Report Posted October 24, 2011 A second thought. The cover might be just stuck to whichever end of the drive train it was connected to.Chet… In which case you might want to make a new one anyway as it means the tabs that keep it in place are broken off. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 25, 2011 Author Report Posted October 25, 2011 Yes, after I posted I was thinking it might be still attached either to the stock transmission or to the differential. Quote
desoto1939 Posted October 25, 2011 Report Posted October 25, 2011 Joe, Attached is a picture of the tool that is used to remove the pin in the driveshaft. I have the tool and also the push pin tool that is used to set it to the proper height. Let me know if you want to borrow the tool. the tool number is c552 Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com detroint u joint tool.pdf Quote
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