The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Universal ball too tight on torque tube

Howdy,

I have recently blasted and painted the torque tube on the 52 3100. Problem is I have the paint too far toward the end of the torque tube and it is thick enough so that I cannot slide the universal ball collar down the tube far enough to clear the u-joint as I did when I diconnected the thing. The slip joint is very tight on the tube where there is no paint (about the first three inches) and is next to impossible to slide over the painted part - and that is without the cork gasket not being screwed on the end. I could beat that thing with a hammer and block of wood and it wouldn't budge.

It appears I need to remove this paint so I can slide the universal ball collar down the tube farther. I just do not know how much to remove. Any advice? 6 inches, 8 inches? I am wanting to remove as little extra paint as possible but need to remove what is necessary to slip that thingup and down the torque tube.

Thank You
Scott

This much

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Then just remove the cross member, lower the tube and remove everything forward.

Thanks for the reply DADS50 - this photo is perfect. I now have a great refernce point for paint removal.

The motor and tranny are not in and this is what is holding me up a bit. I want to slide that ball collar back before trying to poke it into place and didn't want to remove any more paint than necessary.

Thanks Again!

Without the tranny in it might be hard to determine.

Here's another pic from a 50 3100
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I figured as much after referencing your first photo. I only have about 3" of bare metal exposed on the torque tube and I will need much more to slide that sucker back.

Thanks!