I've payed plenty for my propshaft and now I'm wondering if it's too short

Take a look at the photo below and let me know there is too much shaft showing out of the back of the gearbox to the first UJ. Just measured it too, and it's 42mm (1 5/8" )

It would make a difference if you were using IRS or a live axle. If the diff doesnt move i would think it would b OK. Might matter if the diff goes up and down...

you must feel quite sick though, my sympathies if it is wrong...

make a spacer 5/8 thick for the diff flange then use longer bolts

Sorry yes, it's a live axle.

Is Conrods idea viable?

Spacer? I don't see why not. Sounds like a goer to me. I guess it depends how much you've got inside the diff and how much the axle might move under load. If the former is greater than the latter then it'll be ok. I think it depends how safe you feel with it though.

I doubt it will move very far, only a couple of degrees and it probably all lines up. As it stands IMO i reckon you're not far off right, but see how far in you can make it go by bouncing. As conrod says, a spacer should work well. Surely can't need more than a half inch can it? i reckon its only needed for peace of mind, but then that can be quite important!

It has to have room to go in as well as out, there looks enough in there to be on the safe side. If your engine mounts are solid enough and there's not that much travel on the axle you should be o.k.
Is there any scope to move the engine back a bit by modifying the mounts?. If the prop bolts are ford specials so you might have problems getting longer ones.

yours, Pete.

[Edited on 9/8/03 by Peteff]

Conrods sugestion is sound,

we use an alloy pulley (for the power steering) between the diff and prop, on a race TVR (see my archive) that puts out 460 hp on slicks and it has never given us any problems.

Right then

Is there anyone out there with a lathe that could knock me one up for some cash?

I said 'Is there anyone out there with a lathe that could knock me one up for some cash?'

That's disgusting!

b4 u do anything..... the most important question is...... how much is actually inside the g/box. If you are already in say..50mm+ then you won't need to do anything. If you add a spacer and then up with not enough clearance, you will end up bottoming out and that will cause even more damge.

thats just about identical to the bought in, made to measure prop I have.

On mine, there is still at least 100+ mm inserted into the gearbox.

If you think its wrong, why not ask the company you bought it from? I recon what you have is absolutely fine.

atb

steve

[Edited on 12/8/03 by stephen_gusterson]

Cheers lads, I'll take the Rear axle off as I have to sort that out too and I'll take a look and see how much is in there.

Hi RK,

Here's a pic of my propshaft installation for comparison.

I checked with my p/s guy, and he advised that i) you have to allow for the g/box tailshaft, which extends about 14mm out from the g/box housing, & ii) allowance must be made for fore/aft motion due to axle movement. I gauge the non-engaged (visible) length of p/s sleeve at 28mm. Should still be sufficient spline engagement inside your g/box.
Cheers
Rescued attachment PropShft.JPG

That now makes 3 of us with an identical looking setup at the gearbox end.

I recon there is no problem....


atb

steve

Right then, that settles it. Cheers chaps.

(some time later)
OK, I've been messing with the prop and I can pull it out quite far and the splines are still doing their job.

Thanks all

[Edited on 13/8/03 by RoadkillUK]