Universal joint problem

[bigpaul]

I have a 71 swb 2wd. I put a 4l80e transmission in that necessitated shortening the drive line. Also had to buy a new slip yoke for the trans. When I started putting in the new drive shaft, I discovered that rear U joint (new) would move side to side about an 1/8 of an inch. I thought it was supposed to fit snugly between the tabs on the pinion yoke. Went back to the drive line shop and they produced my old u joint which was the same size as the new one.
All believed the yoke must be worn, since it wasn't present to defend itself. Back at home examined the pinion yoke and the tabs all have square corners, which to me indicates no ware (wear?). Could the ears of the yoke spread? any thoughts would be helpful

[46stude]

I just lost the pinion bearing in my '72s 12 bolt. While under it, I noticed exactly the same play in my universal. It has less than 2K miles on it. I'm curious what responses your question will net.

[LockDoc]

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Every U joint I have installed fit snug between the tabs.

LockDoc

[tarafied1]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

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Every U joint I have installed fit snug between the tabs.

LockDoc

mine too.
Maybe, just maybe, someone changed the rear end at some point to one that used a bigger u-joint but didn't swap the yoke???
My truck doesn't have the original axle but I was the one who swapped it. I have put together a few 9" Ford rear axles and there are many different yokes available for the Ford. Not sure on the GM rear if that is the case or not. The rear I swapped into my truck was identical to the old one but that was one thing I did check when I bought it.

[bigpaul]

That is what I thought Lock Doc. Does that mean the pinion yoke has to be worn?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by bigpaul

That is what I thought Lock Doc. Does that mean the pinion yoke has to be worn?

No, I would agree with Tara's husband...... someone probably swapped rear axles or driveshafts somewhere along the line.

LockDoc

[leftybass209]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

someone probably swapped rear axles or driveshafts somewhere along the line.

I would agree as well. Mine fit snug, no issues. Without knowing where the truck came from and having service records, your best bet is to pull the information on the top of the passengers side axle tube (if it's in the same location as 67-72's) that will give you some information about it, that even could be matched to the SPID if it denotes a certain axle ratio, posi etc.

[46stude]

Well, if it's a five lug axle under a '71-'72, and it's got the factory boss on it for the arm as in my case, what else could the rear have come from?

[ayellow56]

Sounds like you might have a 1330 instead of a 1310 pinion yoke. The 1330 were Ford specific if I recall correctly. The only way to know for sure is to measure the inside dimension of the pinion yoke from tab to tab with a good Vernier caliper. Then contact your drive line shop with the measurements. Just an FYI MOOG or Federal Mogul made a u joint that had a 1330 on one side and a 1310 on the other for odd combos like your have. Good Luck. Steve.

[bigpaul]

Sorry I have been so long replying to my own thread, but life gets in the way. I will try to attach 2 pictures and add some additional information. The first pic shows setting the calipers points against the tabs in the yoke. The second pic shows the gap between the caliper and the new joint. Using a feeler gauge, I believe the gap is .090 inch. Less than and 1/8 but more than 1/16.
I have decided to use the feeler gauge to set the gap on one side at .045 and tighten the straps. If and when I get the truck on the highway, I will know the first place to look for that vibration.
Thanks everyone and if anyone has any more thoughts then keep this post going.

[BJC679]

What was the original transmission?

[46stude]

On my Cheyenne, I never felt any vibration.

[bigpaul]

BJC679, The truck had a 350 turbo when I bought it. Who knows what it was born with, no spid!

[BJC679]

Pm sent.

[Bigdav160]

There should be zero play. I think you may need a new driveshaft shop.

[BJC679]

I have some old Spicer books,with the distance between yoke tabs and cap diameter I might be able to run down a u joint number.

[bigpaul]

Thanks for the drawing, bigdav160. It appears that there is over .4 of an inch difference in width between a 1310 and a 1330. In my last post I said that I thought the gap was .090 inches. If I am reading this right a 1330 would be too wide for my yoke. And the drive shaft shop never had my pinion yoke, only the old joint in the driveshaft.
I am learning more about ujoints than I wanted to know, but that is why I called on the experts on this board. I do note that the drawing references outside clips and inside clips, My yoke has neither. It has the straps and bolts.