The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline How much play in the u-joint?

Putting together a 52 half ton. I have the front yoke from the propeller shaft off the truck. The joint moves from side to side in the yoke about 3/8 ". The bearings seem solid...no wobble there. Should the u-joint move that far side to side?

That sounds about right.....there is a fair amount of axial play designed into the u-joint. Check for radial play and elongated caps! Also pay close attention that the propeller shaft has adequate room.....I have seen incorrect differential rebuilds that cause the shaft to contact the u-joint !!!

These are pics of the ends of the u-joint....are these elongated caps?

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h416/ssgummersall07/IMG_20111112_195058.jpg

http://i1108.photobucket.com/albums/h416/ssgummersall07/IMG_20111112_195132.jpg

A little fuzzy on my already fuzzy eyes ???!!! They dont look bad at all....I reused mine and they looked about the same condition. Did you originally take it apart for vibration or just a leak???

Long story...the short of it is that it was disassembled by a guy building a rat rod....I picked up the stock drivetrain for a 52 cab I rescued from a sheep farm so I'm rebuilding frame up, checking each piece as I go.

That's a nice jimmy. Is it a 51?