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| | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | there seems to be a lot of play in my torque tube style U joint. ..how much should there be if any ?
This 1953 1/2 ton truck is my first Chevy ...I usually am involved with mid 50 Fords so please excuse any questions that might seem like a car nut would know.
You guys have been extremely helpful with this truck....
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Around an 1/8" side play in the cross.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | looks like I need to buy a rebuild kit as I have approx 5/16 play....thanks Dave
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Side play on an enclosed U' joint has little to do with it's ability to be used.
It is the ball that keeps the drive line in alignment with the transmission.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | Dave...how would one determine if the U joint is bad on an enclosed system like mine if the ball controls the lineup ???
What would be the symptoms of a worn enclosed U joint ?
There seemed to be quite a lot of room inside that ball.
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 554 | You probably need to remove the u-joint or at least the end caps to properly determine the condition. Most of these trucks just used bushings on the caps. Some of the replacements had needle bearings. In any case, if the driveshaft was run for any length of time without oil in the ball there is a good chance that the u-joint is galled. Excess noise, vibration, or movement within the u-joint as a rear wheel is rotated slightly in either direction would be symptoms of a bad u-joint. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | Chuck...I will check the bushings closely. There is some noise coming from the front end and I had thought that it was the tranny but just rebuilt it as it was pretty well chewed up. Noise is still there....will post what I find...thanks
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | Almost every time you hear noise like that it is a bad front pinion bearing. The noise travels up the torque tube making it sound like it is the transmission.
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | Good to know...I will check that out....thanks Dave
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2016 Posts: 246 | what do you think about putting the rear wheels up on jack stands and start the truck and leave it in gear to try to isolate the noise with a mechanics stethoscope on the rear end ??????
I really am not looking forward to opening up the rear end with a torque tube driveshaft if I dont have to.
1953 chevy 1/2 ton with 3 speed 318 on floor and 1955 235 engine
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | Everybody does it BUT it's extremely dangerous. If you do it make sure to chock the front wheels really well. Make sure the jack stands are rated for the weight and placed in a good steady location. BE CAREFUL!!!!
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| | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 5,337 | If it growls on acceleration and is quiet on deceleration, you are going to learn about changing the front pinion bearing  .
See the USA in your vintage Chevrolet! My Blog | | |
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