driveline question

[saint60]

i am currently running a 350 and a torque splitter in my 60. the PO had the conversion done and i think that the tcase was left in its original space. the driveline doesn't have any slip to it though. is that normal? if not, is there any potential problem to having it that way? do i need to have it shortened? i have to jack up my rear axle in order to get the driveline off. i was thinking about that today and i don't know if it would jam it into the case and put added strain on things if it doesn't have any slip to it. thanks for any suggestions.

 

[jwest]

Both front and rear drive shafts need to have stroke.

Just because you raised the rear to remove the driveshaft doesn't necessarily indicate anything.

That said, it could be locked up with grease. If it's the original DS and you're sure the Tcase hasn't been shifted, then it's a good bet that the DS is packed with grease and can't compress.

OTOH, if the tcase moved back far enough to completely compress the driveshaft and you have zero inward travel, then it should be shortened.

.

 

[Cruisergreg]

i am currently running a 350 and a torque splitter in my 60. the PO had the conversion done and i think that the tcase was left in its original space. the driveline doesn't have any slip to it though. is that normal? if not, is there any potential problem to having it that way? do i need to have it shortened? i have to jack up my rear axle in order to get the driveline off. i was thinking about that today and i don't know if it would jam it into the case and put added strain on things if it doesn't have any slip to it. thanks for any suggestions.

I'm not following this question. You should be able to remove the driveline without doing any compression/expansion. The flanges are pretty much flush and should be able to be separated by sliding each away from each other.

Also, if I understand what you're saying, jacking up the rear axle would cause compression of the driveline, making it harder to remove if there is not an active slip joint.

jwest is right, though, that you can get a sort of hydralic lock if the grease in the joint is not allowed to escape because of a fouled seal or something. This could cause damage to the tcase under extreme suspension compression.

 

[saint60]

hmmm. i think i should take the driveline off and clean out some grease then. it has no slip to it. and the trans/tcase is, in fact, in the stock position. maybe by lifting the rear axle it compresses it a bit so that it is able to be removed. i don't know. i'll have to check it out.

 

[jwest]

Hm, in my head, jacking up the rear expands the driveshaft.

Anyway... If you do take it apart, don't forget your matchmarks. They're finely balanced as a unit. There was a thread earlier that a DS was re-assembled incorrectly which caused vibration.

You should be able to note whether there is there is room for compression/expansion. For example, when you grease the DS, it should expand.

Just to make sure, you do recognize your driveshaft as having a slip yoke, correct? Not knowing what happened to your vehicle, i can't imaging someone installing a one piece unit.

.

 

[Cruisergreg]

Hm, in my head, jacking up the rear expands the driveshaft.

Well, you're right - it can be either way depending on how the rear axle sits relative to the xfer case flange. I have a 4 inch spring lift so the angle of my DS decreases as the suspension is compresssed, shortening the length of the DS.

If you have really flat springs then the dynamic could be the opposite.