Half shaft question

Maybe consider the CV joint option. Look at SACC's offerings.

quote:

Originally posted by ItalFord:
Maybe consider the CV joint option. Look at SACC's offerings.

Yes, I've been looking at those. Just wish they were a bit cheaper. Might just go with them if I need to replace the one half shaft.

I can think of no problems arising from using different half shafts.

I am unclear as to what you are referring to when you say “grease plug” or “grease cover “. Can you please clarify so we can better understand the question and provide a correct answer?

Larry

quote:

Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:
I can think of no problems arising from using different half shafts.

I am unclear as to what you are referring to when you say “grease plug” or “grease cover “. Can you please clarify so we can better understand the question and provide a correct answer?

Larry

At the inside end of the half shaft it is open to the shaft splines. What is missing I think it's called a yoke grease plug, but maybe not. The Spicer one is welded closed. Hope this explains it. Without it, the splines are exposed and the grease just slings out.

you mean the disk that looks like a freeze pluge

quote:

Originally posted by JFB #05177:
you mean the disk that looks like a freeze pluge

Yes! That is what is missing on my driver's side. After some digging, I saw someone said it's 45mm. Can you confirm that? And can it be installed without removing the half shaft?

Trusty, that disc-shaped steel dust plug cannot reliably be installed while the halfshaft is in place, but driving without it- NOT on dirt roads or during monsoon rain- will not hurt anything. It's there to keep dirt & water out of the slip-joint and chassis grease inside wher it doesn't make a mess. Under the screw-on collar should be a nice greasy felt ring, and the whole assembly should be greased thru it's zerk fitting once in a while, as should the u-joints themselves if yours have zerks.

While it's out & cleaned up, check the splines for twist and sticking- this is the direct result of decades of drag-race starts from wannabe racers. I've seen some halfshafts that are almost frozen. Some halfshaft yokes are too loose for replacement u-joints to press in, and should be discarded. Some vendors have usable parts for OEM and Spicer halfshaftss.

OEM halfshafts use huge #1410 u-joints. A replacement Pantera halfshaft made by Spicer was popular in the '80s and uses intermediate #1350 size u-joints that are popular for racing, as the whole assembly is lighter but plenty strong. Spicer's U.S-made halfshafts and u-joints were lighter, smaller and cheaper than OEMs (before vendors found cheap #1410 replacements; they were once around $75 each!) #1350s interchange with Ford F-500 truck units.'70s Corvettes and Camaros use even smaller #1310 u-joints, which do fail occasionally.

Thanks for all the great info Bosswrench! I was just a little worried I shouldn't drive it as is. It won't be seeing rain or dirt roads that's for sure! Lol. When I redo everything I'll definitely be checking those splines for any twist.

Just noticed this on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Detom...b:g:aeoAAOSwJWxbiXTI