Drive Shaft about an inch short - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

69andHalf · 08-26-2020, 11:39 AM

I’m curious what options I have. I recently replaced a 71’ shot 2 piece drive shaft with a one piece from my 68. After shortening the frame. While I initially thought they were perfectly 12” apart it appears it’s about 1” shorter than necessary. Do I HAVE to have it retubed or could I add a double cardan joint to the rear? Has anyone come across this before?

Thanks

cj847 · 08-26-2020, 12:29 PM

I am not sure what you mean by 1" too short. There is more than 1" of travel at the transmission slip yoke. Is it long enough that you can drive the truck and you are concerned about it falling out as the suspension travels?

In any event, you cannot put a double cardan joint on it.

Retubing is not that expensive.
the yokes and joints are what makes a driveshaft expensive. I had one retubed locally for <$50.

69andHalf · 08-26-2020, 12:33 PM

Sorry about that, the yoke slips in but about 1.75” is exposed causing a small fluid leak that was not an issue before. There is noticeably about an inch of “polished” yoke that was previously sleeved. I used the same yoke from the other drive shaft. I was quoted $200-$250 to retube.

**jayoldschool** · 08-26-2020, 01:46 PM

There are longer yokes available, check around and see what you can find. Easier and cheaper than re-tubing.

garyd1961 · 08-26-2020, 02:27 PM

Replace the yoke and rear seal and you should be good to go.

**HO455** · 08-26-2020, 04:33 PM

Here is more information on what your contemplating.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809359

**LEEVON** · 08-26-2020, 05:42 PM

I have that condition, the seal wears out quicker.

mr48chev · 08-26-2020, 06:22 PM

You really need to put the correct length tube/shaft in.

I'm not sure why one would assume and cut rather than measure first but so be it.

A longer yoke might help but the yoke sticking out that far will beat the bushing out along with knocking seals out and eating up the yoke.

I've got the correct tools to change bushings in Turbo 350 or 400 in the truck if you need help with it. It's about a five minute job if you have the drive shaft out and a new bushing ready to go.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 08-26-2020, 07:10 PM

I'm having mine rebuilt, though it's a two piece SWB shaft. I wonder why a 68 had a one-piece when other years didn't? For what it's worth, I wanted a one-piece and was advised by two of two shops to stick with the two-piece.

69andHalf · 08-27-2020, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

You really need to put the correct length tube/shaft in.

I'm not sure why one would assume and cut rather than measure first but so be it.

A longer yoke might help but the yoke sticking out that far will beat the bushing out along with knocking seals out and eating up the yoke.

I've got the correct tools to change bushings in Turbo 350 or 400 in the truck if you need help with it. It's about a five minute job if you have the drive shaft out and a new bushing ready to go.

Yeah I totally agree I am a measure twice cut once person by nature myself. I can only assume it was the two-piece original drive shaft as opposed to the one piece I replaced it with that threw me off. Also I didn’t have the new driveshaft fabricated I used one from my original short 68 that I LS swapped and no longer need. I have to have a new one built for the 4l60e.

69andHalf · 08-27-2020, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

I'm having mine rebuilt, though it's a two piece SWB shaft. I wonder why a 68 had a one-piece when other years didn't? For what it's worth, I wanted a one-piece and was advised by two of two shops to stick with the two-piece.

I would assume at some point before me in its 52 years of life someone just swapped for it. I’ve only had it since 2003.

08-26-2020, 11:39 AM	#1
69andHalf Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 9	Drive Shaft about an inch short I’m curious what options I have. I recently replaced a 71’ shot 2 piece drive shaft with a one piece from my 68. After shortening the frame. While I initially thought they were perfectly 12” apart it appears it’s about 1” shorter than necessary. Do I HAVE to have it retubed or could I add a double cardan joint to the rear? Has anyone come across this before? Thanks

08-26-2020, 12:29 PM	#2
cj847 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Ft Smith, AR Posts: 543	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short I am not sure what you mean by 1" too short. There is more than 1" of travel at the transmission slip yoke. Is it long enough that you can drive the truck and you are concerned about it falling out as the suspension travels? In any event, you cannot put a double cardan joint on it. Retubing is not that expensive. the yokes and joints are what makes a driveshaft expensive. I had one retubed locally for <$50.

08-26-2020, 12:33 PM	#3
69andHalf Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 9	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short Sorry about that, the yoke slips in but about 1.75” is exposed causing a small fluid leak that was not an issue before. There is noticeably about an inch of “polished” yoke that was previously sleeved. I used the same yoke from the other drive shaft. I was quoted $200-$250 to retube.

08-26-2020, 01:46 PM	#4
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,151	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short There are longer yokes available, check around and see what you can find. Easier and cheaper than re-tubing.

08-26-2020, 02:27 PM	#5
garyd1961 Registered User Join Date: May 2016 Location: Henderson NC Posts: 975	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short Replace the yoke and rear seal and you should be good to go.

08-26-2020, 04:33 PM	#6
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,804	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short Here is more information on what your contemplating. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809359 __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

08-26-2020, 05:42 PM	#7
LEEVON Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,887	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short I have that condition, the seal wears out quicker. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

08-26-2020, 06:22 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,284	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short You really need to put the correct length tube/shaft in. I'm not sure why one would assume and cut rather than measure first but so be it. A longer yoke might help but the yoke sticking out that far will beat the bushing out along with knocking seals out and eating up the yoke. I've got the correct tools to change bushings in Turbo 350 or 400 in the truck if you need help with it. It's about a five minute job if you have the drive shaft out and a new bushing ready to go. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-26-2020, 07:10 PM	#9
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,120	Re: Drive Shaft about an inch short I'm having mine rebuilt, though it's a two piece SWB shaft. I wonder why a 68 had a one-piece when other years didn't? For what it's worth, I wanted a one-piece and was advised by two of two shops to stick with the two-piece. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assm. guide "kit" for restoring it from ground up. With assys, the guide accts for 1000s of OEM identifications and part numbers, all written in short order. 700+ images include assm, illust., charts, and points of interest. Much of the info. applies to all 67-72 GM trucks, and to a lessor degree all 67-72 GM vehicles. My build thread, and more on the guide https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025



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