cv joint questions (ATTN 53flattie (aka Tim))

Tim or anyone else,

What was the outcome of your drive shaft vibration problem? I ask because the t18 is now installed on my '74 and a brief look at what the drive shaft might look like is not very encouraging. It looks as though it will be about 15" long and have about a 24* operation angle. I think that this might be prime candidate for a cv joint.

Does anyone else have a dshaft that operates under these conditions? Comments? Does the pinion have to be turned up for a cv? If so why?

Karl

 

Karl, IMHO you should measure it and install whatever the angle calls for. There's a good discussion of driveline geometry at Tom Wood's which gives realistic limits http://www.4xshaft.com/driveline101.html

 

See here: http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13785

Sounds like you're dead on where I am... To run a CV shaft, you need to point the pinion at a spot about 1" below the output of the t-case. For me, this meant 8* shims (3" lift with about 1/2" of lift from the shackles). Then, I bought a CV shaft from a Wagoneer (they came stock in those). I paid $40 for it. I then took it to a driveshaft shop and had it shortened to 15" (cost me $36). See the comments on the thread above about the t-case yoke. The yoke, at a junkyard here, is $25. When I pick it up this evening, I'll let you know what it came from, in case you need to go looking for one. (I *think* it's the front yoke from a Wagoneer also, but not sure if it's the QuadraTrac or Dana 20...)

 

Early chevy 4x4s also had the dana 20 10 spline cv yoke. Look for 69-72 early blazers.

My old 4 link setup before I lengthened it had a 13" driveshaft and was right around 25* operating angle. I had to put limiting straps on it to keep the suspension from cycling it past 35-37*. I ordered a tom woods d-shaft and had it ground out for more angle. Worked great, never felt any vibrations, but there was no axle hop and the swampers made everything vibrate anyways.

Works better now that its longer. R)

Kevo

 

Picked up the CV yoke today. They can be found on the front of both Dana 20's and Quadratrac cases that had a front CV shaft (and the ones Kevo mentioned).

Here's a picture for comparison. The CV yoke is on the left. I'll be installing it tonight, and I'll let you know if it cures the vibration problem.

 

Hey thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. The cv yoke looks much beefier. I look forward to hearing about your findings.

Karl