65 u-joints

[Doug R.]

I am trying to remove the driveshaft from my 65 to install new u-joints. I dropped the front Diff. mounting bracket, and removed the u-bolt and nuts on the rear of the drive shaft. ON the trans. end of the shaft there is only the slip yoke with the u-joint pressed on, no u-bolts or removeable nuts. How do remove the driveshaft from a 65? I have looked in the shop manual, it doesen't address this as an issue. I 'm sure someone has done this and has the answer. Thanks

[Timothy B.]

Re: 65 u-joints

Doug,

You have the wrong yoke on the transmission, the proper way to remove the driveshaft from a C2 corvette is exactly what you did in the rear then remove the ubolts at the transmission and push the yoke into the transmission enough to lower the driveshaft down at the transmission and remove.

[Doug R.]

Re: 65 u-joints

Thanks Tim, How or why did the yoke get changed? And how do I get the driveshaft out?(I hope you don't suggest remove the Diff. housing.)

[Bill W.]

Re: 65 u-joints

Doug,
When you do get your driveshaft out be careful to install it as it came out. They are balanced from the factory. If you have driveline vibration a former owner may have installed yours incorrectly. If any paint marks still exist on one end of the shaft look for a dab of paint on the pinon flange. Align paint mark at rear of driveshaft with this mark. If no paint has survived the years you can try flipping the shaft end for end and indexing it in a different position. Hopefully none of the above will be required on your car. Back to the garage! Bill

[Timothy B.]

Re: 65 u-joints

Doug,

I would have to look at it to give you the best way to remove . My thinking is to purchase a new yoke from Paragon or even look on ebay, then get a small dremmel with a grinder bit and cut the ujoint or the yoke caps so the yoke can be separated from the shaft. Push the yoke in and remove the shaft.

When you purchase new ujoints get the Federal Mogul precision # 269 without grease fittings (made in USA).

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 u-joints

Thanks Tim, How or why did the yoke get changed? And how do I get the driveshaft out?(I hope you don't suggest remove the Diff. housing.)

Doug------


How did it get changed? Well, I expect some klutz couldn't get the correct yoke so he used the type you have Or, someone told him this was the right one. How he was able to install it is beyond me. The only thing you can do is to try to force the driveshaft forward as absolutely far as you can. Then, see if you can get it to clear the pinion flange and drop down. If you can't, there won't be much option other than as Timothy describes.

C1 Corvettes use the type transmission yoke you have. Many passenger cars used that type, too. However, no C2 or C3 Corvettes ever originally used this type transmission yoke. None. Zero. Ever. All C2 and C3 Corvettes used the type yoke which utilized u-bolts or hex bolts with straps to retain the u-joint.