Are these the "replaceable" kind or will i have to have the universals modified to some other kind?




And where in los angeles has done this before? I'm in burbank, so there are many off road places near by.

It almost looks like they're glued in. If so, hopefully there's a snapring groove too. Use an o-ring pick and see if that's glue. If it is, a propane torch and a vise will get them out.

Speaking of universals, how much grunt do you think stock datsun universals can safely withstand?

If they engineered them properly then they would probably handle 125 - 150% of the output of the engine they were intended for. Beyond 125% your life expectancy would go down.

I've seen some really nice replacements that come with synthetic rubber boots and cool stuff like that, but I have no idea if they can be adapted to our datsuns.

foes anyone know the specs for those universals? I can't really figure out what parts i need... I'll look in the fsm.

FSM says nothing useful.
I wonder if it's worth the effort to have the driveshaft re-done, I know i can get one already done for $200.

why not just get a new one made up? it will cost a bit more but a new one will be a lot better. And u can even get one made to handle some more grunt!

Normally they swage bits of the edges over, and sometimes the spot weld the uni joints into place. If you had cleaned up the surface with a 50c wire brush before the photo, we'd all be wiser.

You would have to take it to a propeller shaft specialist. They'd tell you if they can do it. If you can't see clips, then without several tools, and access to a U-joint catalogue, you probably won't be able to do it yourself.

Chris

ps Hey woody, did you know that a new tail shaft can cost from $350 to $450 to be made up? Your advice although technically a good idea, isn't so hot when it comes to the hip pocket.

Conveniently I have a spare drive-shaft... Who doesn't have a complete set of spares to use as engineering models.

Hmm I'll bet this will cost $300 ( just like fitting the 280zx brakes and other fun.... )

So can any off road place that does drive-shafts do the upgrade or is this a special thing that will need hunting to find a shop that can do it?



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I have been through this with an '87 [Z31] 300ZX. Same situation. The factory u joints are staked into the shaft. You can grind out the little stake marks and press the joint out alright, but you will find that no one [including Nissan] has a replacement joint that size. It's almost as if Nissan purposely made them an odd size, so you will have to buy a whole new shaft assy from them when the time comes. I have heard stories about people boring out the holes in the shaft to accept larger readily available joints. But I've never seen that done, personally. And I'm sure if this was not done carefully, you might end up with a driveline vibration.
In the end, I ended up buying a new aftermarket replacement drive shaft out of a catalog at the driveshaft shop.

Hmmm... So how much did you pay for that driveshaft? I've seen them for low $200's somewhere. I figure it will cost more than that to have mine modified. it's atleast $150 just for the universals + fabrication + welding + balencing...

ok, I think that's answered then

I'll order one.
I suppose I can donate mine to science, then we'll know how to convert them.

15 years ago, I priced a new driveline for $225. Drivelines Northwest would put new ones in with snaprings for $200. Your mileage may vary.