Spitfire Driveshaft

[crew43]

Is the driveshaft in a 67 Spitfire , installed with the slip joint toward the diff ? This shaft has a u joint in each end .

 

[trrdster2000]

Crew43, It goes toward the transmission and give it some grease before you install. It should have a fitting, if not unscrew the cap and lube the splines.

Wayne

 

[crew43]

Thanks Wayne , this one came in the shop with it installed backwards . Has a bad vibration above 50 mph . It didn't look right , so thought I'd check .

 

[Andrew Mace]

Many would argue that the slip joint goes to the differential end, thereby allowing easy future access to the grease fitting!

 

[crew43]

Many would argue that the slip joint goes to the differential end, thereby allowing easy future access to the grease fitting!

Which way did it come from the factory ? It may just have a tight joint in it , but looks like installing the slip joint to the rear could cause this vibration if there is any play in the joint . I've never seen one installed this way , but it would make it easier to grease .

 

[Don_R]

granted I have a strap type driveshaft in my Spit, but mine needed to be rebalanced to get rid of my vibration.

I also have the straps toward the back of the car....not a lot of lateral movement in a spitfire driveshaft...

 

[Andrew Mace]

Most of the ones I've encountered on cars over the years have had the slip-joint to the rear.

 

[crew43]

Most of the ones I've encountered on cars over the years have had the slip-joint to the rear.

This did have stiff joints in it , also no zerk on the slip joint , but lots of rollers ( that was a surprise ! ) . I changed the u joints & reinstalled it with the joint forward . This helped move the vibration up to 60mph & not near as violent as it was . You can't clock the joint wrong like you can a splined joint , but wonder if you don't install it as it was when first balanced if that will throw it out ? Looks like rebalancing is next , although it doesn't appear to have thrown any weights .

 

[trrdster2000]

Crew, have a look the joint configuration. The shaft yokes should be in alignment, adjust your splines accordingly. That will give you the factory balance but maybe will still need balancing.

Wayne

 

[dklawson]

I changed the u joints & reinstalled it with the joint forward .
You can't clock the joint wrong like you can a splined joint , but ...

I have not taken the splined joint apart but if you failed to mark and return the u-joint yokes to their original positions, one or both could be out 180 degrees which might be contributing some to the vibration. Perhaps taking it to a shop for re-balancing would help as suggested by others above.

 

[crew43]

Crew, have a look the joint configuration. The shaft yokes should be in alignment, adjust your splines accordingly. That will give you the factory balance but maybe will still need balancing.

Wayne

The yokes are aligned , but have no idea if they're out 180 degrees or not . The slip joint is square inside , so you can move it 90 degrees at a time . Just a first for me . HA !