Front driveline question (1 Viewer)

[atijerino]

I replaced the two front u-joints in my 80 today (PM Measure). I noticed that the front spline had a paint mark on the short side (yoke side) that was not aligned to the corresponding paint mark on the actual propeler shaft. Before removing the complete assembly I went ahead and put a new mark (scriber) that was aligning the two sides so I can put them back together.
It seems that this was separated by the PO at time during the life of the truck and for some reason not put back together aligning the two pieces together.
My question is: Should I assemble the two pieces back together by following my marks or by following the original paint marks?
Also while reading other threads about driveline and u-joints I came upon the term "out-of-phase" pardon my ignorance, but does this actually mean?

Thanks,

______________________
Antonio
1994 FZJ80

 

[mabrodis]

The front driveshaft should be out-of-phase. That means the end pieces that hold the U-joint are 90-degrees from each other... a in-phase driveshaft would look like:

=------= (yes I'm an artist )

What your front driveshaft should be is: =------- (one is turned 90-degrees from the other)

As far as which way to turn it, that is where a factory mark could help, however I never found anything on my '97. If you put the U-joints back in exactly how they came out (grease-zirk in the same spot) then the FSM shows you how they are arranged, but if you think the PO might have replaced a U-joint, then all bets are off.

Good Luck...

Edit: Here is a picture Kumar (ktpinacoma on here) took, the stock shaft is on top, notice the ends and U-joint orientation, the lower shaft is a double-cardan replacement one.

 

[IdahoDoug]

Out of phase means the ears of the axles that are solidly mounted to the actual axle should be 90 degrees to one another - like the top shaft in photo. This is not common practise. The rear drive shaft IS supposed to be in phase, or ears aligned - which is common practice. IF the front shaft is not properly assembled OUT of phase it will vibrate and such.

DougM