1976 280Z Restoration Project

[wheee!]

Okay. What kind of witchcraft is this??
How the heck do I remove the u joints from the prop shaft?

[Zed Head]

They're meant to be permanent.  "Staked" is the term to describe them.  Some driveshaft shops will machine out the stakes and make a circlip groove, or replace the joint and and restake it.

It's a bummer.

[wheee!]

Well that is not cool. My u joints are toast.

[Zed Head]

Apparently they started staking in 1975.  So a 74 or older shaft will have replaceable joints.  The very early 1971 shafts, which are shorter, won't fit though.  But if you want the really good Nissan high-precision u-joints, they're about $70 each.

Edited February 13, 2018 by Zed Head
though placement

[EuroDat]

I think zcardepot still sell complete units for around $350. Not sure if that is remanufactured or new aftermarket.

[wheee!]

Yeeesh. That’s over $500 here. Time to look for a used 74 shaft I guess.

[Captain Obvious]

Well I have great faith in you that if you really wanted that old U-joint out of the shaft, you could accomplish that task.     Complete confidence.

So a question for the collective... On the driveshaft's with the staked in U-joints. If you DO manage to get the old U-joint out, are new replacements available?

[wheee!]

From what I understand, the prop shaft needs to be machined to include a groove for the c clips after the staked u joints are pressed out. Doesn't seem like its worth it versus sourcing an older shaft to replace it with. Not interested in the hi performance aluminum versions or the ridiculously expensive offerings from re sellers for stock units.

[Mike W]

As I recall when I replaced the U Joints on my half shafts as well as the driveshaft, the C clips are actually installed on the U joints themselves (on the inside of the yoke) and so I don't really understand the need for a groove to be cut.  As long as the U Joints are of the same size I believe you should be able to just install new ones. 

Perhaps I'm missing something but this seems like it would work to me.  Does anyone know if the U Joint sizes are the same between the serviceable driveshafts and the newer non-serviceable ones?

Mike.

[Hodgimus-maximus]

You can try calling Zspecialties to see if they have a used one that is in good condition. Zspecialties.com


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[wheee!]

Anything from 'Murica is going to be out of reach price wise when shipping and exchange is factored in. Luckily, Z Car Supermarket @zKars has three aisles of spare drive line parts available three hours south of me in sunny Calgarifornia. He has a small stash of parts sitting aside for me already so I will get him to add a prop shaft to the order as well. I'm sure if I asked for a horn pad, he'd have one made from real Unicorn....

[EuroDat]

1 hour ago, Mike W said:

As I recall when I replaced the U Joints on my half shafts as well as the driveshaft, the C clips are actually installed on the U joints themselves (on the inside of the yoke) and so I don't really understand the need for a groove to be cut.  As long as the U Joints are of the same size I believe you should be able to just install new ones. 

Perhaps I'm missing something but this seems like it would work to me.  Does anyone know if the U Joint sizes are the same between the serviceable driveshafts and the newer non-serviceable ones?

Mike.

Mike,

If you try this you will come across several problems, or should I say challenges to some of us here

1. The uni-joints on the propeller shaft after 7/75 are much smaller than the earlier units. You can't use the early style/half shaft uni-joints.

2. You need to find uni-joints of the smaller size with grooves in the cups for circlips. Not many of the smaller ones do. They are out there. I did find some and noted the part numbers. Ill look them up and post them later. That brings up the next problem.

3. Finding a uni-joint with circlip grooves the right distance apart of 36mm.

Lets face it, parts are getting scarce. It would be nice to have this option.

Edited February 13, 2018 by EuroDat