The Ford Barn

John P. · 11-23-2013, 03:58 PM

I recently bought a 1928 model A pickup. Installed a new cluch and throwout bearing and wasa about to reinstall the transmission and noticed that the bolt holding the universal joint in looked loose. When i tightened it.. it was already tight but it is allowing the u-joint to slide a quarter of an inch on the spline..there is a u-joint washer (A 7095) on the bolt but no lock washer...is this correct or is the bolt to long? Not sure what i should do at this point, please help if you can,THANKS!

Patrick L. · 11-23-2013, 04:06 PM

Is the bolt too long ? With it removed you should be able to see how the joint fits on the shaft. I can't tell you how long the bolt should be, I don't think I have one to measure, but, its not very long.

John P. · 11-23-2013, 04:16 PM

i guess my question is...should the bolt be tight against the u-joint or should be able to slide to and from the transmissioin a little..under the bolt? This is my first antique vehicle..ive only had it 4 weeks.

john in illinois · 11-23-2013, 05:12 PM

Welcome to the forum. The u joint should be tight against the transmission shaft.

John

Bob C · 11-23-2013, 05:12 PM

The bolt is # 20389-S 3/8"-24 x 1" and should have a lock washer.

Bob

John P. · 11-23-2013, 05:16 PM

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The bolt and flat washer w/ the notch is on there, but the bolt is bottomed out and there is play under the washer..shouldnt it be tight against the u-joint?

John P. · 11-23-2013, 05:22 PM

OK Thanks guys! i thought it was odd that there was play in there...guess someone put the wrong bolt in at some point. I just bought this vehicle a few weeks ago. Thanks again! glad i saw this before i put it all back togethere!

Christoph · 11-24-2013, 10:37 AM

John
You did well by having a look on a part and thinking about function....

Once the bolt wasnt tight, there is a chance, that the u-joint is gone too...
The u-joint has to be very stiff !
If you hold it in one hand it shouldnt change its angle itself nor should it do
"klonking noises" while you shake it !!!
If it does,
- rework it (if its a later version ) or
- built in a new one (if its a riveted version )

Having bad vibs later and having to take out the rear end again aint fun
(dont ask how i know)

Dont forget to use lots of grease with the u-joint.

Have fun

John P. · 11-24-2013, 01:09 PM

Thanks Christoph! Glad you pointed that out to me. It does flop around easily when holding it in one hand. i will rebuild it before i put it back together. THANKS AGAIN!

Patrick L. · 11-24-2013, 02:11 PM

The joint will move radially easily. It should move easily/freely. It should not have any rotational movement/slack/slop.

11-23-2013, 03:58 PM	#1
John P. Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New London, MO. Posts: 5	Universal Joint Problem? I recently bought a 1928 model A pickup. Installed a new cluch and throwout bearing and wasa about to reinstall the transmission and noticed that the bolt holding the universal joint in looked loose. When i tightened it.. it was already tight but it is allowing the u-joint to slide a quarter of an inch on the spline..there is a u-joint washer (A 7095) on the bolt but no lock washer...is this correct or is the bolt to long? Not sure what i should do at this point, please help if you can,THANKS!

11-23-2013, 04:06 PM	#2
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Universal Joint Problem? Is the bolt too long ? With it removed you should be able to see how the joint fits on the shaft. I can't tell you how long the bolt should be, I don't think I have one to measure, but, its not very long.

11-23-2013, 04:16 PM	#3
John P. Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New London, MO. Posts: 5	Re: Universal Joint Problem? i guess my question is...should the bolt be tight against the u-joint or should be able to slide to and from the transmissioin a little..under the bolt? This is my first antique vehicle..ive only had it 4 weeks.

11-23-2013, 05:12 PM	#4
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Universal Joint Problem? Welcome to the forum. The u joint should be tight against the transmission shaft. John

11-23-2013, 05:12 PM	#5
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,750	Re: Universal Joint Problem? The bolt is # 20389-S 3/8"-24 x 1" and should have a lock washer. Bob

11-23-2013, 05:16 PM	#6
John P. Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New London, MO. Posts: 5	Re: Universal Joint Problem? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The bolt and flat washer w/ the notch is on there, but the bolt is bottomed out and there is play under the washer..shouldnt it be tight against the u-joint?

11-23-2013, 05:22 PM	#7
John P. Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New London, MO. Posts: 5	Re: Universal Joint Problem? OK Thanks guys! i thought it was odd that there was play in there...guess someone put the wrong bolt in at some point. I just bought this vehicle a few weeks ago. Thanks again! glad i saw this before i put it all back togethere!

11-24-2013, 10:37 AM	#8
Christoph Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main in Germany Posts: 671	Re: Universal Joint Problem? John You did well by having a look on a part and thinking about function.... Once the bolt wasnt tight, there is a chance, that the u-joint is gone too... The u-joint has to be very stiff ! If you hold it in one hand it shouldnt change its angle itself nor should it do "klonking noises" while you shake it !!! If it does, - rework it (if its a later version ) or - built in a new one (if its a riveted version ) Having bad vibs later and having to take out the rear end again aint fun (dont ask how i know) Dont forget to use lots of grease with the u-joint. Have fun

11-24-2013, 01:09 PM	#9
John P. Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: New London, MO. Posts: 5	Re: Universal Joint Problem? Thanks Christoph! Glad you pointed that out to me. It does flop around easily when holding it in one hand. i will rebuild it before i put it back together. THANKS AGAIN!

11-24-2013, 02:11 PM	#10
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Universal Joint Problem? The joint will move radially easily. It should move easily/freely. It should not have any rotational movement/slack/slop.