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Old 05-04-2015, 06:51 AM   #1
oldskool
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Default drakes lincoln u joint

I just installed drakes Lincoln u joint in my 46 merc and unlike the original ford units they have needle bearings and are sealed,my question do I still need to lube to u joint housing? I have a tube of cornhead grease if I do...
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Old 05-04-2015, 07:26 AM   #2
42merc
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

I have been running an original Lincoln U joint in my '40 for 3 years now.
I keep the cavity full of JD cornhead grease.
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Old 05-04-2015, 07:51 AM   #3
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

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Originally Posted by oldskool View Post
I just installed drakes Lincoln u joint in my 46 merc and unlike the original ford units they have needle bearings and are sealed,my question do I still need to lube to u joint housing? I have a tube of cornhead grease if I do...
Be sure to pack it with the finest Chinese lubricant.
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Old 05-04-2015, 09:13 AM   #4
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

Why bother with the Lincoln,if occasionally lubed the Ford joints last forever.
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Old 05-04-2015, 11:22 AM   #5
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

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Originally Posted by trainguy View Post
Why bother with the Lincoln,if occasionally lubed the Ford joints last forever.

I just installed a 39 trans and my original joint had slop in it,i needed to finish the job,every vender was out of stock on originals and bought the Lincoln because it was avaliable...the joint looks well made to me
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Old 05-04-2015, 11:27 AM   #6
john in illinois
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

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I had a Drake u joint and it would not clamp up on the transmission bearing. I was told that it was manufactured with the center washer in upside down. Because it is a cupped washer you have to dissasemble the joint and turn it over. I went with a NOS Ford.

John

Last edited by john in illinois; 05-04-2015 at 11:32 AM.
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Old 05-04-2015, 11:57 AM   #7
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

The original joints are designed with side to side slop to adjust for any misalignment between trans and driveshaft
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Old 05-04-2015, 12:42 PM   #8
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

I also found from a vendor that some of the repro ujoints from India are machined crooked. He said it was too time consuming to check each one,so he quit selling them. That is probably why oldschool could not find one at the vendors.

John
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Old 05-04-2015, 01:21 PM   #9
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

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I also found from a vendor that some of the repro ujoints from India are machined crooked. He said it was too time consuming to check each one,so he quit selling them. That is probably why oldschool could not find one at the vendors.

John
I first tried joblot and jimmy said they cant get u joints anymore,he recommended I get drakes Lincoln u joint and gave me joes antique in NH ,and that where I got mine,i did notice the the joint didn't tighten to the output shaft like the originals and I questioned about that,joe was aware of that and said it shouldn't be a problem,i have been driving it locally and don't notice any problems,,i will pump in some cornhead grease and drive it...
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Old 05-04-2015, 01:30 PM   #10
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

It might be a problem...tightening that bolt snugs the trans output shaft up against the bearing, securing its axial position. Without that bolt it is free to float in whatever pay ther is in there...might well become a problem.
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Old 05-04-2015, 01:40 PM   #11
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

What BL said x2
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Old 05-04-2015, 04:34 PM   #12
john in illinois
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

When bolted solid theDrake u joint had about 1/8" axial play. That means the transmission shaft was moving that much and the output bearing was not clamped.

John

Last edited by john in illinois; 05-05-2015 at 08:14 AM.
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Old 05-04-2015, 06:21 PM   #13
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

In the future, I would check with So Side Obsolete - NOS, and maybe Fort Wayne Clutch.
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Old 05-04-2015, 06:38 PM   #14
Bruce Lancaster
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

My experience is that a lot of used Ford U joints at fleamarkets show practically no play in bushings. I would not hesitate to use those. The design seems to have been close to bulletproof unless left unlubricated.
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Old 05-04-2015, 10:22 PM   #15
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

The Ford u joint is the only part in the drive line that I never broke. I do not see why anyone would change it!
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Old 05-04-2015, 10:57 PM   #16
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

Every used Lincoln joint Ive removed had wear and was loose. When I rebuilt the transmission for my 39 Zephyr I had a NOS Ford u-joint and used it as opposed to taking a chance on the repop overseas units.
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Old 05-05-2015, 05:59 AM   #17
oldskool
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

I occurred to me if u joints must tighten down on output shaft how does that happen with open drive trans of this style, im thinking the rear bearing retainer/mount and snap ring control movement on both open and closed systems,also worn u joint will cause a vibration correct?
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Old 05-05-2015, 05:48 PM   #18
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

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Originally Posted by john in illinois View Post
When bolted solid theDrake u joint had about 1/8" axial play. That means the transmission shaft was moving that much and the output bearing was not clamped.

John

I had exactly the same problem with one of Drake's Lincoln U-Joints. They refunded the cost of the part.
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Old 05-05-2015, 06:56 PM   #19
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Default Re: drakes lincoln u joint

NOS, NORS, or good used. I have kept at least 2 good used ones on hand for all the reasons stated above, and will buy more when I find them.
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