The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline U joint play

I just finished pulling the 4 spd transmission on my 39 half ton. The universal joint has a lot of play going in and out from the transmission. The universal joint on the replacement transmission (which is the same type) has very little. Which one is correct? Can the play be adjusted with shims? also when I separated the u joint the back half was still the the torque tube. Should it just slide out or does it need to knocked out.
Thanks
Tom

There should be very little, just the play from the rear bearing.
The rear yoke should just slide out of the torque tube.

When you say 'play' are you talking about the distance of fore and aft movement, or are you talking about sloppy up and down movement?
Carl

Fore and aft movement on the shaft from the transmission.

Are the u joints for 1940 forward trucks interchangeable with the 37-39 models.

Is there a bolt and big washer bolted to the end of the trans shaft holding in the u joint?

Yes there is one.

when its in there and tight does u joint move in and out from there or is that tight?

The original u joint on the transmission I removed goes in and out with about 3/8 inch play. The one on the replacement transmission, which has a later model u joint is fairly tight, in and out and side to side. Both are the same type transmissions, just different u joints?

I recently worked on a 39 that had end play.
I compared a few front yokes and the one on the trans needed a spacer between it and the bearing to remove the end play. Some yokes are thicker than others, I don't know which years.

I had to do the same as Pre '68 dave said he did, the back plate from the trans gets warn(where the u joint comes in contact with) and it will make thing loose, I put a valve seat insert that fit so that it was hitting on the inside gears from the trans, not hitting the back plate of the trans. tightened everything nicely, hope that helps, Dan

Thanks. Do you know if the later u joints are Interchangeable with the earlier trucks.

If you put them side by side and they look the same I would think they would work fine for you, the fact you already installed them means they fit, the later joints are made better .

Thanks for the help!

Well,the universal joint ended up being from a 49 to 54 truck. I guess when the 235 was put in, the whole drive train was replaced. I was able to get a rebuild kit and rebuild the universal. The newer transmission is also in and I am down to just hooking everything up. Thanks for all the help and comments! It was diffenitely a learning experience