New clutch-drive shaft problem

[harryc]

I know it is a little late but I have always found it easier to replace the clutch or transmission by pulling the engine ( especially if you use or have float a Motor mounts). I'm sure some will dispute this ( they always do) but I would rather do most of the work standing than groveling on the floor or on my back

[DennisR]

I ignored that piece of advice right from the beginning, wish I hadn`t !!!!

[colin1928]

Dennis try loosing the front engine mount and raise the front of the engine to match the angle of the trams
this has work for me in the past

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by katy

How about loosening off the rear spring shackles, that might give you enough slack so that the spring will go up into the U bolts.

please don't take this the wrong way but the above comment concerns me unless you're schooled and prepared to handle it.
Don't undo spring shackles without the proper spring spreader and a safety chain.... and then putting the spring back up in the rear crossmember will be a challenge without adequate help. I think this should be the last resort.

I think if it came out it should go back in. I really think it needs a good pull in but it is absolutely paramount that the car be safe on the jack stands.I get them up pretty high before I pull the axle down. I do agree with Tom Endy that it might not be a bad idea to pull the u-jount again and make sure it fits the driveshaft fully. With the spring spread on the hangers and dropped out of the crossmember there shouldn't be any problem getting it back in. When you get it close you might need a pry bar from crossmember to spring to gently give a little tension on the spring to get it to fall in. Make sure the center bolt lines up in the square hole.

Hoping you get it in soon!
Larry Shepard

[Tom Endy]

Originally Posted by DennisR

Sorry, my previous post was a bit late coming. Tom, I did check the spider and couldn`t see any damage, the drive shaft slid out easy, but I`ll take another look just in case, as a matter of interest how do you decide on when it`s time to replace it.

A U-joint should be replaced when there is significant slop in the four moving parts assemblys. I have also replaced several when the spline that slides onto the drive shaft was gouged to where it was difficult to get it on and off.

As mentioned earlier by others, be careful of the rear spring, it can be lethal. Do not remove the shackles without a proper spring spreader in place.

Tom Endy

[DennisR]

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Taking on-board all the tips/advice, add a bit of luck. I`ll get stuck in again tomorrow and hopefully report back with a positive result

[wmws]

I think as others that the splines may have a burr on them. I have seen this happen sometimes on a tractor PTO.

[larrys40]

Dennis,
thanks for the updates... keep us posted. If you try it again with the u-joint on and it doesn't go I would most definately pull the u-joint and try it on the driveshaft for fit.

Best of luck!! let us know...
Larry Shepard

[figment]

This is a long shot but I forgot the socket on the U joint bolt. The torque tube went on but I had to take more time tighting the u joint cover. I drove the car for several years until the transmission started to get noisy. Is it possible that you left a long socket in place? I'm sure that you are more alert than me!! Norm

[Tom Wesenberg]

Did you move the front of the torque tube up and down as someone else pushed the rear end forward?
This works much better than trying to do both by yourself.

If it slid apart easily as you now have it, then it should somewhat easily slide back together.

BTW, I would always change a clutch the same way, by removing the tranny and rear end.

[George Miller]

plus 1

[DennisR]

Got a couple of friends round today, one on the front of the torque tube and myself and the other on the axle, it would not budge. We moved it back and forwards, cleaned all the grease off the u/j, got the endoscope and inspected both the shafts, male and female, could see no reason why it should not slide in. We took it apart, put it back together, tried it without the cup, no joy.
I`m inclined to go for the suggestion of tilting the engine to reduced the attack angle, I can`t see that being the problem but what else could it be, until I eliminate that I won`t know.
Just want to say thanks for all the input, much appreciated.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Can you post some pictures of the rear of the tranny and front of the torque tube, and also of the spring and frame area?

[DennisR]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Can you post some pictures of the rear of the tranny and front of the torque tube, and also of the spring and frame area?

I`ll take some pics tomorrow Tom, washed & brushed up for dinner now.......

[J Franklin]

If you decide to raise the front of the engine make sure you remove a bolt on each side of the rear mounts so the mounts do not stress and crack.

[Jacksonlll]

Hey guys, what happens if you put the u joint in backwards? Could this contribute to our problem.

[katy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
How about loosening off the rear spring shackles, that might give you enough slack so that the spring will go up into the U bolts.

I`m a bit wary of the spring Katy, I kept it on the axle so it was still under tension, I don`t have a spreader.

Quote:
Originally Posted by katy View Post
How about loosening off the rear spring shackles, that might give you enough slack so that the spring will go up into the U bolts.
please don't take this the wrong way but the above comment concerns me unless you're schooled and prepared to handle it.
Don't undo spring shackles without the proper spring spreader and a safety chain.... and then putting the spring back up in the rear crossmember will be a challenge without adequate help. I think this should be the last resort.

Ifn you reread what I posted and you quoted, you will see that I DID NOT say to undo the shackles, I just said to LOOSEN them, which will allow the spring to move back and forth a bit, but still connected to the axle assembly.

[DennisR]

Some pics, don`t really show much but someone might spot something I`ve missed.

[Bob C]

Did you ever take the u-joint off the trans and try putting it on the drive shaft
as suggested earlier to make sure it slides on ok??

Bob

[Jacksonlll]

At the front end of the driveshaft, make sure you have the snap ring in its groove.