Drive shaft/ rear end question

[jason340]

I was under the car (73 Cuda w 8 3/4 rear) today and noticed that I could move the drive shaft within the rear end yoke. The entire u joint will move side to side. By this I mean caps and all. It does not move much maybe a 32nd of an inch but I have never seen this before. The clamps that hold the caps are tight and are touching the yoke. Question is this correct or can the yoke be worn or are the u joint caps worn? If the yoke is warn is it a simple replacment or does it have a crush sleeve and the backlash has to be reset?
thanks,
David

[Changin Gears]

The thingthat prevents the u-joint from sliding in the yoke is the c-clips on the u-joint. Are they there?  maybe the wrong ones?  You could always just buy another u-joint and test fit it, to see if it slides also, without actually intalling it on the drivshaft.

[jason340]

Yes, the C clips are in place. I've just never see u joints move in a yoke but I am not too familar with the Cuda driveline. Are the u joint clamps supose to keep the cups tight or are they supose to have some movement?

[msbaugh]

My first thoughts are that you have the wrong sized u-joint on there... the c clips should be flush so that it doesn't move at all.  I had to buy a conversion u-joint because my joint was too large with the smaller of the two different sized drive shafts.  Which end is it moving on?

There are conversion u-joints that have the offset sizes, perfect if you're mating a large sized driveshaft with the smaller size yoke or vise-versa...
7290 vs 7260

 

[jason340]

The movement is in the rear end yoke side. The cups will move sightly back and forth in the yoke itself.
 

[72cudamaan]

Get new clips. I have seen oversize clips in the past but  I don't know if you can
get them anymore. If you leave it like this you will create more problems eventually.

[Chryco Psycho]

there should never been movement in there , the clips should be very tight to the point where they are difficult to install

[jason340]

Is the u joint going to be something I can get at a local auto  parts or dealer or do I have to go to a restoration supplier.
When installing the new u joint do I first  place it in the yoke, bolt it down and then install the c clips or install the c clips then bolt the whole thing in the yoke?

[72cudamaan]

Is the u joint going to be something I can get at a local auto  parts or dealer or do I have to go to a restoration supplier.
When installing the new u joint do I first  place it in the yoke, bolt it down and then install the c clips or install the c clips then bolt the whole thing in the yoke?

Most any parts store should stock the u-joints. Put the clips on the caps first, then push in to the yoke. Make sure
you tighten down the straps evenly. Might be a good idea to replace those as well

[jason340]

Thanks for the info. It will be a few days before I can get back on it but I will keep you posted. When I pull the driveshaft will I have to plug the tailshaft to keep in the ATF or is the level low enough that it won't run out? The car will be level on a four post lift.

[Chryco Psycho]

Yes you will lose fluid unless you jack up the rear of the car on the ground

[jason340]

Thanks for all the help. I replaced the rear u joint and the straps, problem solved. The u joints I took out did not look worn out but the new ones are tight in the yoke, no side to side movement at all. I am a happy camper.

[Changin Gears]

Good deal