Drive Shaft U-Joint>>>Long

[HammerDown]

While I was under my Vette...greasing the u-joints (again)...It dawned on me that I just could'nt recall how the heck I at one time I removed the foward drive shaft! on my 81...I know I had it out because I replaced all the u-joints even on the half shafts.
BUT I just can't recall how the heck I unbolted the rear u-joint straps on the foward shaft!(ON THE CAR)...everything and it's Mother is in the way...but I know I did it some how.
Talk about a serious Brain Fart.
The Reason I was under there...I kinda felt a little vibration under acceleration at higher speeds...kinda like a bad u-joint would give. But as I stated earler, I replaced all of them not to long ago. I did however notice a slight amount of up and down play at the front drive shaft yoke, at the tail of the Tranny...not leaking though. Other that that everything seems tight.
So refresh my memory as to how I may have removed the foward shaft??? I know I had it out before!

 

[MidShark]

HammerDown- I used a 1/4" drive rachet and a long extension to loosen and remove the cap screws. Worked out quite well.

Dick

 

[HammerDown]

I here ya on the long extention, but I cant recall how the heck I would have ever got the u-joint straps and the screws back on, not enough room for one of my fingers with that frame cross member, But some how I did...hopefully I wont have to do that job again for some time to come. Not fun laying on your back.
Need a lift...make that, need a lift with a shop!...in my dreams.

 

[Yoda]

Hammer,

There is also a "Donut" rubber bushing that sits on the front of the differential housing. This bushing has been know to wear out The usual results are a clunking when going from reverse to drive or visa versa.

This is a fun one to replace too :J It can be done with the proper sized socket I'm thinking it is 9/16" a pry tool and a trusted friend on the floor jack..

The U-Joint bolts come out best using a star type socket and then a press to extract the old ones from the yoke and install the new ones...

Best wishes

 

[TWINRAY]

That donut rubber bushing on the rear is one heck of a BB to compress when putting it back. I remember that I was "just" able
to get it done. I had a floor jack under it and raised the car up to compress it enough to get the bolt on. I still remember the job and I did it in the late 70's

 

[HammerDown]

cost????

Whats a fair price a shop would charge to replace the donut?(parts and labor)...I aint laying on my back for that one!

 

[Thumper]

I just pulled my driveshaft this past weekend. I put the Vette up on jackstands and rolled underneath it on my creeper. I was able to reach everything just fine. It was a bit snug at the diff, but if you can rotate the shaft, you should be able to reach everything. I just used a wrench (don't remember the size) that had a box end on one end and open on the other. I had it out in 15 minutes tops. I've never replaced the donut on the diff bracket, but it didn't look to be very hard. It really helps if you've got the car high enough in the air where you can lay underneath it and reach everything.

It sure would be even easier if I had a lift. I'll have to include it in my list to Santa this year.

 

[70 VETTE 454]

HammerDown
well if yours is anything like my 70, then it is just 4 bolts (2 on each rear coupling) on the u-joint. there was not anything in the way of my bolts. it should just drop down with a few hits from a rubber mallet to loosen the joints from the shaft. push the drive shaft towards the front (should be plenty of slack there) to give it the clearance from the differential then drop it below the diff, then pull back on it to pull it out of the rear of the transmission.
it should come out all in one piece from the front (u-joint still attached to the Trans. engager thing(not sure of the actual name) cause it sits kinda on top of the cross member, then take the u-joint off while you have it there in one piece. that's the easiest way to get to the front u-joint.

as for the donut on the rear diff, ill take a look at mine and see how easy it is to take off. I just dropped my rear differential 3 days ago and its on my garage floor as we speak.....bad thing is I'm not at home now. ill do it when I get home.
Dave

hope this helps a bit.....

 

[HammerDown]

Thanks for the feed back...the only way for me to unbolt the rear u-joint is with a 1/4"drive and a long extention going over the frame cross member, from front to back.
Theres no way for me to even get my finger directly on it from under the u-joint. There's maybe a 1/2" slot on the left and right of the joint when viewed directly under it...I have to grease it with one of those needle fittings on the gun.
I'm sure the universals are ok...however the Donut is F'ed up for sure.
A very good friend of mine has a Corvette shop...he said the middle shaft on my 81 would have to come out to replace the donut...or at least make it alot easer...so I'm letting him do that job for me.
I'm at the point where I dont like crawling under that car anymore...and belive me, I fix all my problems. ..From pulling the Heads and installing a new Cam, to Starters, Rear Bearings/Spindels, and rear Leaf Spring, Trans service W/converter drain.
I've done it all...(myself). I've Just reached a point where I'll let something like that be done on a lift.

 

[Thumper]

It must be really different on an 81 than a 76. I understand about reaching a point where it's just worth it to have someone else do something. Sorry it's turned into such a pain. Here's wishing that the rest goes well for you.