Propshaft UJs

[vernon.taylor]

Salut

In my endeavour to try to think of everything for my forthcoming five-speed conversion, the next questions is the UJs. They feel OK but common sense tells me to renew them; now the question: what's the wisdom - grease-nipple or sealed-for-life (if available and from where)?

Also, would sealed-for-life ruin the balancing (which I assume I have as there are white paint marks to line up)?

Merci et @+

Vernon

[alexblack13]

Look for a good prop-shaft service company and have the prop' professionally rebuilt. Done!! Sorted!! Then fit with confidence.

Go grease nipple at the diff end and sealed at the other..

AL' ....

[Chancer]

How times have changed.

There onec was a time, not that long ago when our Elans were current models where motorists were expected to get down and dirty frequently with their (grease) nipples.

Replacing prop U/J's was a fairly frequent occurence and most of us had favorite hammers, battered sockets and circlip pliers reserved for the task, now it seems that it is considered a proffessional task.......................

OK by all means have your prop balanced if you have a vibration problem, use a specialist if you want a special prop made up but changing the U/J's really ought to be within the competence on an Elan owner.

Does the Autoprop guy at East Grinstead Surrey still exist or has he drunk his-self into oblivion?

[alexblack13]

True.. With a little care they are easy to re do.. Balance was where I was at. They are not easy to get out when the 5 speed is fitted. You have to remove the gearbox Etc ....... etc ...... etc ..... A real pain in the butt if the balance is out. I had the splined unit replaced too as there was some play in mine. Just wanted it perfect so I did not need to dig it out again for any reason..

Tis the reason I suggest having them done pro ' ...

JMHO ....

Have fun! ....

Al' ....

[vernon.taylor]

Salut

The intention was to do this job myself - did it 30 years ago on a Herald.

The workshop manual says they are seled-for-life units. However I'm having trouble finding some - PM and Sue Miller only have the grease-nippple type. Anyone have a source, please?

Merci et @+

Vernon

[alexblack13]

Go for it Vernon. Why not? It will no doubt be bang on.

Just fit the grease nipple type. That will allow you to lube' up the rear one every now n then and if you have access you can do the one at the gearbox end too. Careful measurement and a 3/4" hole saw will do it. Stick a rubber grommet into the hole when finished. OR.. See if you can reach it through the access hole by the drivers seat. The one which has the big rubber cover.. Never looked to check yet but you never know.

Alex.

[alan.barker]

hi Vernon,
do the job yourself and just mark positions to assemble the same way. I have always done this with no problems. Fit both with grease nipples. They are Triumph Spitfire already with nipples. The front one can be greased from the access hole in the tunnel on the driver's side. On the Plus2 you can remove the prop with gearbox (4 spead) in place no problem
good luck
Alan B

[alexblack13]

Hi Guys.. Alan..

Vernon is fitting the 5 speed box Alan. You can't reach the front grease nipple from below the car without drilling the chassis for access & there is no way you can remove the prop' either. When taking out the box one has to unbolt the prop-shaft at the diff' and remove the whole assembly in one. Fitting too is a pain. The prop' gets bolted the the gearbox flange and gets entered into the chassis and 'fed in' with the gearbox. Unless one cuts access holes in the chassis that is. I didn't..

I don't think one can access the front grease nipple via the access hole by the drivers seat but as I said above I have not tried it yet but the length of the output shaft is much shorter on the 5 speed box. I will have a look later and report back.

Anybody tried? Can it be reached?

Alex...

[vernon.taylor]

Salut les gars

So what's wrong with the sealed-for-life type? Just finished putting my diff together - the output shafts use 'em for example. And as I said the manual says they are sealed units.

Anyone know a supplier, please?

@+

Vernon

[alexblack13]

[quote="vernon.taylor"]Salut les gars

So what's wrong with the sealed-for-life type?


Nothing Vernon. It's only if you can't find the sealed ones. Sealed are absolutely fine mate.

All the best.

Alex..

[alexblack13]

These U/j's on Ebay might fit the bill. Dont see any grease nipples.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ECLAT-E ... 20b9dd8dd5


Al' ....

[nomad]

Personally, since I was a babe, I've always liked nipples!

Kurt

26/3754

[kstrutt11]

Fitting the u/j s will be the least of your worries, getting the thing out is a nightmare, either remove the engine and box or as I did remove the diff and cut an access hole in the rear of the boot.

[rgh0]

Salut

Also, would sealed-for-life ruin the balancing (which I assume I have as there are white paint marks to line up)?

Merci et @+

Vernon

Hi Vernon

Are the white paint marks across the sliding spline in the 5 speed propshaft. This spline needs to be assembled in the correct orientation to line up the the two U/J's in the correct orientation as well as for balance. This is different to the 4 speed where the propshaft is solid and the sliding spline is on the nose of the shaft inside the gear box.

The PO or maybe the person who balanced the shaft at sometime may have put the marks on to show the correct spline assembly. There is also a grease nipple on that sliding spline that needs occasional lubrication

cheers
Rohan

[cal44]

Spicer seal for life.