Half shaft alignment

[Jack P.]

Hi, 66 L79 Roadster. All stock components.

I had a new rear spring installed and now my car sits higher than normal??

I know this may a problem with the replacement springs. Can this cause problems with my U-joints. I have developed a squeak from the rear , I can hear it by pushing the car a few feet forward . It does not squeak when I move it backward. At slow speeds with motor off and in neutral, coasting, I can hear a squeak - vibration with every rotation of wheels.

Can the increase angle of haft shafts be the problem? Is there a way to lower rear without replacing new rear spring?

Jack

[Paul D.]

Re: Half shaft alignment

For a non judged car, longer outer spring bolts will get the job done. After a few hundred miles, maybe that new spring will settle down and you can go back to the stock length. As for the squeak, any change in normal operating angle COULD cause a squeak in a already compromised joint. I wouldn't blame the higher ride height for knocking out the joints unless the difference is pretty extreme. Chip.

[Rich P.]

Re: Half shaft alignment

The squeak could possibly be added pressure on a dry weel bearing seal. If you can listen to see which side has the noise as someone pushes the car it most likely happens on one of the 2 high spots of the rotation. Thats where the half shaft and spindle flange are closest to each other at the 12 oclock position.

Rich

[Jack P.]

Re: Half shaft alignment

The squeak could possibly be added pressure on a dry weel bearing seal. If you can listen to see which side has the noise as someone pushes the car it most likely happens on one of the 2 high spots of the rotation. Thats where the half shaft and spindle flange are closest to each other at the 12 oclock position.

Rich

Thanks Rich,

I just came in from under the car. I can push it by hand from underneath, the squeak is coming (I think) from P side rear trailing arm, U-joint area. The sound comes just as you describe it. The training arms, spindle, bearings are only about 4 ,000 miles old.

Any fix , short of taking everything apart?

Jack

[Rich P.]

Re: Half shaft alignment

Jack,

any guess now would be just that. Without hearing the noise I could not tell. All I can say is does the squeak sound like rubber on metal or dose it sound like metal on metal?. I don't know if you can shot some lubricating/penetrating oil on the inner wheel bearing seal? It may be hard to do so with the flange deflector on. BUT if you spray some lube into the area behind the flane on the sel and the squeak stops you got your answer.

Rich

[Jack P.]

Re: Half shaft alignment

Jack,

any guess now would be just that. Without hearing the noise I could not tell. All I can say is does the squeak sound like rubber on metal or dose it sound like metal on metal?. I don't know if you can shot some lubricating/penetrating oil on the inner wheel bearing seal? It may be hard to do so with the flange deflector on. BUT if you spray some lube into the area behind the flane on the sel and the squeak stops you got your answer.

Rich

My gut feeling and hunch is rubber against metal. It is a squeak opposed to grinding. I am going to try a get some oil on it.

Jack