'63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

[Douglas C.]

Hi,

I just installed a U-joint in a '63 rear axle flange and it seemed to really "bind" - difficult for the U-joint to turn. I'm assuming the flange must be ever so slightly bent and is creating the bind on the U-joint shaft.

Wasn't there an article in the Restorer a while back on how to check and straighten the flange? Seems you run a metal bar through the flange, as I recall.

Does anyone remember the issue?

This is a '63-only item and I don't want to replace it.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

--Doug

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Hi,

I just installed a U-joint in a '63 rear axle flange and it seemed to really "bind" - difficult for the U-joint to turn. I'm assuming the flange must be ever so slightly bent and is creating the bind on the U-joint shaft.

Wasn't there an article in the Restorer a while back on how to check and straighten the flange? Seems you run a metal bar through the flange, as I recall.

Does anyone remember the issue?

This is a '63-only item and I don't want to replace it.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

--Doug

Doug------


What you describe is fairly common when new 1/2 shaft u-joints are installed. It's usually caused by the joint being forced too far to one side during the installation process. Tapping the joint will often relieve it. However, it's not really necessary as the joint will "correct itself" after installation and being put into use.

In any event, assuming the flange is bent (which could definitely occur if you replaced the u-joints without supporting the flange in a fixture or with a bolted-on spindle flange), it will be straightened when you install the flange and torque down the bolts.

One word of caution: the 1963 only half shaft flanges are cast nodular iron and not forged steel as are later flanges and 1963 SERVICE flanges.

[Joe R.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

The 1963 flange is a 63 only item and were redesigned for 1964 and 63 replacements. The 63 flanges don't have the reinforced web to resist bending them when installing a new u-joint! Also, the material changed from cast to forged giving them more strength.
1963 flanges are VERY hard to find and very expensive when found.

JR

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Thanks to all replies.

I'm using Delco non-zerk U-Joints and having a tough time getting the "C" clip to seat in the machined ring of the flange.

First one went together okay - but the second one has given me a fit. Ruined the U-joint extracting it so having to order a new one.

--Doug

[Timothy B.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Douglas,

Did you bolt the flange to another flange or flat plate when removing and installing the u-joint like Joe mentioned above?

Try bolting the flange to the other side flange and measure the distance to the clip rings that are machined in. I think 3 5/8" is the dimension you are looking for. I used a piece of all thread and some washers to expand mine a bit but only after it was bolted to another flange, it worked well.

Here is a question for everybody, I have a spare 63 flange that had the bore honed a bit too much and the cap will spin just slightly, is there any repair for this. You want the joint to move inside the cap not the cap in the flange..

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Douglas,

Did you bolt the flange to another flange or flat plate when removing and installing the u-joint like Joe mentioned above?

Try bolting the flange to the other side flange and measure the distance to the clip rings that are machined in. I think 3 5/8" is the dimension you are looking for. I used a piece of all thread and some washers to expand mine a bit but only after it was bolted to another flange, it worked well.

Here is a question for everybody, I have a spare 63 flange that had the bore honed a bit too much and the cap will spin just slightly, is there any repair for this. You want the joint to move inside the cap not the cap in the flange..

Timothy-----


You could try center-punching the perimeter of the orifice. This should upset enough material to tighten up the u-joint cap fit

[Bob J.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

HI Doug, I'm curious if that 63 flange had armasteel cast into it? Bob

[Timothy B.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Thanks Joe, I will give that some thought, I had even thought about a sleeve but it's just a spare.

Bob, the flange I mentioned here has armasteel cast into the bottom along with the 3832048 part #.

[Joe L.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Thanks Joe, I will give that some thought, I had even thought about a sleeve but it's just a spare.

Bob, the flange I mentioned here has armasteel cast into the bottom along with the 3832048 part #.

Timothy------


I would be extremely reluctant to try to sleeve the orifice in the flange. In order to do this you would have to further bore out the orifice to account for the thickness of the sleeve (the sleeve would have to be of significant thickness in order to be able to press it in). Expanding the size of the orifice would significantly reduce the strength of the flange, especially in the thinner areas. The pressed-in sleeve, itself, would restore no strength to the flange.

By the way, Armasteel was a trade name of a form of ductile cast iron that GM developed. This cast iron was considerably stronger than gray cast iron but approximately the same strength as nodular or malleable iron. It was usually poured at the old GM foundry in Tilton (Danville area), IL. There might also be a "D" foundry mark cast in the piece. I have a couple of NOS examples of this flange [none for sale] but I can't bear the thought of going out and going through those group 5 tote bins to find them to look at. My back hurts just thinking about it!

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Not that I can see - no Armasteel casting or part no. for that matter in either flange.

I have two, of course, one of which I'm certain is original to the car and the other I purchased to install as a replacement for a later "Spicer" flange that the previous owner had installed.

The car is a Dec. 62 original black/red convt.

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Here's an interesting solution offered by Wilcox Corvette...

Plate.jpg

[Stan E.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

Hey Joe , I've noticed sense 90' that you were bright but tonight that you do understand how it's done. stan 18259

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

The 63 flange also cracks very easily in the thin section around the hole for the cap. Usually the crack is not evident until you try to press the U-joint cap in, at which point it slides in way too easily. If that happens, one way to see the crack is to put some black grease on the outside of the cap, then press the cap back in. The grease will squeeze into the flange crack and seep out through the crack, forming a black line on the outside surface of the flange.

I now have one of these; it makes a very nice paperweight...

[Michael G.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

It took me few days, but I managed to find three spare original 63 flanges that I have. These are all from different cars. I don't see "Armasteel" or a part number cast into them anywhere.

DSC01003.JPG

[Douglas C.]

Re: '63 Bent Half-Shaft Flange?

I managed to get the U-Joint installed with no binding, but now, there isn't enough of the machined clip seat exposed to insert the C-clip.
I tried grinding the clips a little thinner - but not much help.

Is it possible a different U-Joint might offer just enough clearance to get the C-Clip inserted? I'm using AC-Delco, no zerk, part no. 45U0123

Hate to give up at this point - very close to having original flanges installed.

--Doug