Those bearing caps on the spider... do I squeeze those in all the way or do I align the outside edge with the outside edge of the u-bolt. They seem to go in too far when squeezed.

Rich

 

There are tabs on the yoke. they should just fit inside the tabs. If they don't just fit inside the tabs you have the wrong U-joint.

 

What do you mean by tabs on the yoke? The slip yoke goes into the transmission extension housing... I'm working on the rear end of the driveshaft where there is a cross-shaped piece (spider) with bearings that slide onto the ends and then are tightened down by the u-bolt.

All the parts are original. I had only disassembled it to remove the transmission.

Rich

 

If you look carefully where the spider sits, you can see that it settles into kind of an indented area. I was thinking the same thing you were earlier this week when I was installing my new driveshaft.

 

I'm talking about the yoke on the rear end where the U-joint goes into. The caps from the the u-joint should fit into the yoke exactly. No slop. If you have slop it will not work. It is called a U-joint not a spider. The spider is inside the rear end.

 

Uh...according to my '65 Ford Mustang Shop Manual the spider is part of the universal joint.

[IMG]local://upfiles/30705/16FDAFEF7B8746B481E32055BFDD2D34.jpg[/IMG]

 

Ok, right, and they call the rear end yoke a companion flange? I don't know anyone that calls a U-joint a spider but what do I know. The big question is did you get the drive shaft in? Or is that called a transmission to rear end connection tube?

 

Actually, I think that part is indeed called the driveshaft.

Yes, I did get installed correctly, thanks.

Rich

 

Ha! Dang dude I was being sarcastic. I'm glad you got it in.

 

Wow! You really thought I was serious? Just responding to a smart-a$$ question with a smart-a$$ answer.