Drive shaft won’t go into univetsal

[Don]

Been trying for two days to get rearend back in 36 pu,have triple checked everything and drive shaft spline will not go into univetsal,same joint that came out of it! Rearend is high as it can go to let spring pass frame,
WHATS WRONG!!!! Does age have anything to do with it?????

[Mart]

Are you able to rotate the uj and align it? Either the Uj has to be held still and the axle rotated (by rotating a wheel or drum) or the axle stays still and the uj has to be turned.

I've used a ratchet strap to pull the axle forward while turning the uj by turning the gears inside the box.

It's sometimes difficult to get everything aligned just right while being able to apply the forces to pull the parts together.

Mart.

Just remembered I took the lid off the transmission and had a pair of vise grips clipped to the 1st/reverse wheel. This allowed me to rotate the uj back and forth while trying to get the end of the shaft in. Having something to grip the uj end and hold it at the right angle also helps.

[19Fordy]

Don, Look underneath where torque tube fits through X member to see if it is hanging up on either the floor pan or X member. When I installed my 40 rear I had the rear rolling on the drums - no wheels. Like you, it was a very tedious process if you are doing it alone.
Had to leave it alone for a day and then came back to it. I detached the spring from the shackles and left the spring in when I did mine. I also removed two floor pan bolts and used wooden shims to raise up the floor just a tad for the bell to clear. Be careful not to pinch your fingers on splines and u-joint.

[Don]

I have a come along to keep a little pressure on drive shaft to Uj while turning the axle !i have one axle locked and transmission in gear,!i think I need to raise rearend a little to have a straight pull, friend Jim is making a spreader to remove spring to get RE higher, ...will give it another try in a day or two

[V12Bill]

I always leave the spring on the rear, but loosen the shackles on one side in order for the rear to clear the gas tank. The drive shaft will hang up on the X cross member, so it may be necessary to raise the rear to lower the end that contacts the UJ. Not always easy when working alone, but it can be done.

[drolston]

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Maybe leave the transmission in neutral, so the rear shaft can turn a bit as the splines try to align themselves, which they will, because they are slightly beveled on their ends.

[Don]

Success,removed spring. which let rearend go a little higher to align with UJ,slipped right in.
New problem now is getting spring back on shackles,spring srunk about 1/4 in and mechanical spreader won’t spread,to much pressure on spring!!!!Looking for a porta powerto stretch out spring!Ill get it,just takes more time the older you get!!!!!!

[Lawrie]

Be careful mucking round under there with a porta power,as you know,those springs habour a LOT of energy.
Lawrie

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Don

Success,removed spring. which let rearend go a little higher to align with UJ,slipped right in.
New problem now is getting spring back on shackles,spring srunk about 1/4 in and mechanical spreader won’t spread,to much pressure on spring!!!!Looking for a porta powerto stretch out spring!Ill get it,just takes more time the older you get!!!!!!

Lots of these rental places have Porta-Powers available. DD

[NealinCA]

I have taken springs apart, installed the main leaf, then re-assembled the spring in place.

[Step-down]

How about the method of installing one leaf at a time .
The main bottom leaf isn’t difficult to bolt to shackles , use a nylon ratchet strap.
Use long threaded rod in center and two nice solid welder C-Clamps to build your stack of leafs.

[Andy]

My method is to put jack stands under the rear frame, install one shackle, and use a floor jacks under the spring ends. Get the installed shackle level and come up on the other spring end. The weight of the car will spread the spring.
I use this method on both ends of my 32. It works great with the curved spring.
There is always plenty of load on the jack stands so that is a non problem.

[Don]

Buddy brought me over a porta power,right tool makes job easy,, just a few bolts and job done!!!!!