Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

Any tips on how to line up the splines of the UJ and Drive Shaft when re-installing engine and transmission? I see a special tool available from dealers.. Does it help? Is there a simple backyard method?

Re: Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

I just put the transmission in neutral and have the back wheels off the ground and the E-brake off. Both splines should be very easy to turn. Keep your fingers out if there though in case something decides to move quickly.

Re: Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

... but he UJ taill always droops down... wretched gravity I assume ;)

Re: Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

Re: Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

If you are installing the engine with the transmission attached it will be at a down angle at the rear and it will allow the transmission gears to slide out of neutral and prevent you from turning the end of the U-joint with channel locks. We made up a temporary cover for the transmission out of a piece if sheet metal. It has two screws that protrude down to the shifting slots in the slider gears to retain them in the neutral position.

It also prevents foreign objects from falling in the transmission.

Tom Endy

Re: Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

When I installed my Mitchell OD, I was under the car to align the UJ and the spline and got my neighbor to push the rear axle forward, also rotate one elevated wheel while the other was touching the floor. It took a bit of time, but if I had to do it again right away, it would have gone faster.

Re: Lining up UJ and Diveshaft splines, any tips?
 

String around the u-joint to not smash fingers. Wheels off the ground and spin tires until the driveshaft starts to slides in. Pull string out and finish mating the two together.

Denny