fede Posted July 6, 2019 Report Posted July 6, 2019 Hello, I need a bit of help about the availability of parts for the driveshaft and differential joint. I understand that the system in my 46 export DeSoto (SP15) is not of the universal type that is more widely used. So, are there any repair kits available for this? I'm not sure about the english names of the parts I'm looking for, so it's been hard to find. The differential is leaking a bit, and we'll take it to a shop to change the seals, so it'd be a good time to adapt an universal type joint in case there are no parts available for the original. I attach a photo of the joint, just in case I got something wrong. Thanks for the help! Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 Mechanically, you have a Plymouth car, which like Dodge, used a ball and trunnion type of U-joint. I would call Andy Bernbaum for parts availability. Looks like he has a kit for $90. https://www.oldmoparts.com/parts-universal-joint.aspx Quote
westaus29 Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 Your uni joint is not mopar ball and trunnion. Its a type I havent seen before. Is the rear axle and diff mopar? I cant see from the photo. It may have been modified in which case you will need help from a repair shop that specialises in that area. Jim Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 That is a early style U-Joint used in both Plymouth and Dodge cars up through 1946 I think. I've seen only one in my years of working on old MoPars. Quote
fede Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Posted July 7, 2019 1 hour ago, westaus29 said: Your uni joint is not mopar ball and trunnion. Its a type I havent seen before. Is the rear axle and diff mopar? I cant see from the photo. It may have been modified in which case you will need help from a repair shop that specialises in that area. Jim As far as I know, it has not been modified. My grandfather bought the car used in 1959, and I'm sure it wasn't modified after that. Maybe the ball and trunnion type is the one used on the exit of the gearbox, from what I google now that I know the name, it looks like it. 50 minutes ago, Dodgeb4ya said: That is a early style U-Joint used in both Plymouth and Dodge cars up through 1946 I think. I've seen only one in my years of working on old MoPars. In this case, I don't think there will be many parts available! According to the serial number (11538034), the car was indeed built in 1946. Did the cars after '46 use the ball and trunnion type? or the more common u-joint? Quote
plymouthcranbrook Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 You might want to look into seeing if a machine shop near you can convert the U-joints to a more modern type. Places here in the US do so although the cost is not cheap. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 (edited) I looked in a MoPar parts book and that joint IS shown... a little confusing as to whats what on it. But the complete Mopar joint kit # is 1139979 Edited July 7, 2019 by Dodgeb4ya Quote
fede Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Posted July 7, 2019 1 hour ago, plymouthcranbrook said: You might want to look into seeing if a machine shop near you can convert the U-joints to a more modern type. Places here in the US do so although the cost is not cheap. That's the plan, maybe not right now, but it'll probably be done. Even more so now that I know that this kind of joint is not that common Quote
fede Posted July 7, 2019 Author Report Posted July 7, 2019 @Dodgeb4ya Awesome! Thanks for those pics. I have a Plymouth service manual that goes from 36 to 41 or 42 and I didn't find anything about this joint. If you have any more info or diagrams about it, please send it to me (either here or to fbarbieri@gmail.com) Thanks! Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 Fede, you should read this Master Tech booklet on u-joints. http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/056/cover.htm And watch this Chrysler filmstrip with Master Tech on U-joints and propeller shafts, 1952. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 Fede, Just to correct something I said, on your car the Ball and Trunnion u-joint would be on the front of the prop shaft. On the rear of the prop shaft, you don't have a ball and trunnion, but a cross and roller type. Marc. Quote
kencombs Posted July 7, 2019 Report Posted July 7, 2019 I've never worked on one of those but if swapping to a newer type in in the plan, I'd first look for a pinion yoke that will fit the pinion shaft and a later u-joint. If that can be located, the actual driveshaft modification is the easy part. just a yoke that fits the tube, weld, straighten, balance. Common job for a good shop, but it's all dependent on the pinion yoke. Quote
fede Posted July 8, 2019 Author Report Posted July 8, 2019 20 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said: Fede, you should read this Master Tech booklet on u-joints. http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/056/cover.htm And watch this Chrysler filmstrip with Master Tech on U-joints and propeller shafts, 1952. Thanks for the video! It's great, very informative and also very enjoyable just for the vintage alone. It affirms that the exact rear joint in the car is rare, because it's never mentioned. 11 hours ago, kencombs said: I've never worked on one of those but if swapping to a newer type in in the plan, I'd first look for a pinion yoke that will fit the pinion shaft and a later u-joint. If that can be located, the actual driveshaft modification is the easy part. just a yoke that fits the tube, weld, straighten, balance. Common job for a good shop, but it's all dependent on the pinion yoke. Swapping is the plan if we can't get any repair or rebuild kits. But as it seems to be a rare system, I'm not sure we'll be able to get one. On tuesday the car goes to a shop to fix a small fuel leak, an oil leak on the differential, and while it's there, a check on the joint. We'll see what happens then! Quote
kencombs Posted July 8, 2019 Report Posted July 8, 2019 11 hours ago, fede said: Thanks for the video! It's great, very informative and also very enjoyable just for the vintage alone. It affirms that the exact rear joint in the car is rare, because it's never mentioned. Swapping is the plan if we can't get any repair or rebuild kits. But as it seems to be a rare system, I'm not sure we'll be able to get one. On tuesday the car goes to a shop to fix a small fuel leak, an oil leak on the differential, and while it's there, a check on the joint. We'll see what happens then! The diff leak is probably the seal. While it is out would be a good time to determine the spline count and dimensions. Makes searching for a replacement easier. Sure hope one with a more common U-joint and readily available will interchange. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 9, 2019 Report Posted July 9, 2019 Deception Pass Motor Parts shows as having this U-Joint # 1134579 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 10, 2019 Report Posted July 10, 2019 And another NOS Joint...https://forums.aaca.org/topic/320660-1946-48-plymouth-dodge-nos-universal-joint/ Quote
fede Posted July 10, 2019 Author Report Posted July 10, 2019 10 hours ago, Dodgeb4ya said: Deception Pass Motor Parts shows as having this U-Joint # 1134579 46 minutes ago, Dodgeb4ya said: And another NOS Joint...https://forums.aaca.org/topic/320660-1946-48-plymouth-dodge-nos-universal-joint/ Awesome! thanks! I had never heard of these two sites before, but I wrote earlier today to Deception Pass Motor Parts and I will check this forum Quote
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