• Mustang Forums
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech

U joints

  • Thread starter Thread starter jansen29
  • Start date Start date Nov 17, 2009

jansen29

Member
Mar 26, 2007
73
0
7
Mountain View, CA
Nov 17, 2009
#1
  • Nov 17, 2009
  • #1
Here is the next issue I have.. I just had a custom drive shaft made and balanced and I now have to replace my third rear u joint. Is it possible they made my drive shaft a bit to long and how much of the input shaft should be inside the trans. I have a T-5 from a 88 5.0 mustang with the 157 tooth fly wheel and a quicktime bell housing.
Any ideas would be great because u-joints do not grow on trees.
 

78CobraII

Moderator
Jul 31, 1998
1,808
8
39
Birmingham, AL
Nov 20, 2009
#2
  • Nov 20, 2009
  • #2
I'm sure there is a more technical answer...but I've always heard that you need at least 1 inch travel at it's installed depth. So when it's in, it should have at least 1 inch more travel before it bottoms out.

Bottoming out is bad on both the trans and the rear end.

You could always disconnect the rear shocks, put someone in the rear seat and have someone bounce the rear of the car while checking the driveshaft for contact.
 

Wart

I'm Mad as HELL and I'M not Gonna Take it ANYMORE!
Founding Member
Sep 1, 1998
408
3
58
NE Ohio
Nov 20, 2009
#3
  • Nov 20, 2009
  • #3
78CobraII said:
I'm sure there is a more technical answer...but I've always heard that you need at least 1 inch travel at it's installed depth. So when it's in, it should have at least 1 inch more travel before it bottoms out.
Click to expand...

THats about right.

I've measured from the seals wear on the yoke to the yokes shoulder and have come up with ~ 1", or was it 3/4 inches ... If I remember I'll find the V-6's yoke and measure it.

One of the truths of trans yoke "distancing" is its immeasurably better to have WAY to much sticking out than ANY too little.

Bottoming out is bad on both the trans and the rear end.
Click to expand...

Bad for the rear, potentially fatal for the transmission.

You could always disconnect the rear shocks, put someone in the rear seat and have someone bounce the rear of the car while checking the driveshaft for contact.
Click to expand...

Thats an idea, as the leaves flatten the rear is moved aft and hte pinion is rotated down, but then with thrust the axle rotates and the pinion climbes and things can get real short/tight really quick. So bouncing the car is a tool but shouldn't be considered definitive.

Since this has the T-5 you may want to search for a thread about T-5s and drive shaft vibration. I'm not writing all that again.
 

jansen29

Member
Mar 26, 2007
73
0
7
Mountain View, CA
Nov 21, 2009
#4
  • Nov 21, 2009
  • #4
Thanks guys,

That is the issue my so called custom drive shaft is about 1 3/4 in to long. I am going to put my new 8.8 in next week and then have the drive shaft changed again off the new rear end. Good thing I'm not driving the car to much right now. Again thanks for the help.
 

Wart

I'm Mad as HELL and I'M not Gonna Take it ANYMORE!
Founding Member
Sep 1, 1998
408
3
58
NE Ohio
Nov 22, 2009
#5
  • Nov 22, 2009
  • #5
jansen29 said:
Thanks guys,

That is the issue my so called custom drive shaft is about 1 3/4 in to long.
Click to expand...

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

K
3.8 T5 & Bellhousing to 1987 Lincoln 5.0
  • ks65stang
  • Mar 2, 2026
  • Other Auto Tech
Replies
3
Views
243
Other Auto Tech Mar 3, 2026
Noobz347
C
Drivetrain T-5 transmission issue
  • Ch3No2
  • Jul 11, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
342
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 18, 2025
2000xp8
J
88 Foxbody 5.0 Driveshaft Issue! Need Help
  • James Hood
  • May 1, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
450
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 1, 2025
AeroCoupe
3
Eight inches is enough for me...
  • 351MooseStang
  • Nov 27, 2025
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Replies
5
Views
501
1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech Mar 2, 2026
Bullitt347
J
2004 Mustang 3.8L V6 vibrations above 65 MPH and differential leaks
  • joeybuddy96
  • Mar 16, 2026
  • SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
Replies
13
Views
386
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech Monday at 2:45 PM
joeybuddy96
J
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1974 - 1978 Mustang II Talk & Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?