Universal Joint

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S&D-RXTURBO
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Universal Joint

Post by S&D-RXTURBO » Fri May 09, 2008 6:05 pm

We've noticed that the uni joint on our '86 rx has a bit of play in it. We've been told by Repco that they can recondition it for $400! (out of our budget)
How important is it to change it ? Will it keep going for ages like this? Haven't had the car long - it might have been like it for ages, I don't know.
Any ideas ?:confused:

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discopotato03
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Post by discopotato03 » Fri May 09, 2008 6:33 pm

RX Turbos have three universal joints in the tailshaft . First behind the gearboxes slip joint , second behind the center bearing , third just in front of the rear diff .

I was under the impression that L's have staked joints so not repairable .
A drive line shop should be able to come up with something workable and hopefully withe removable uni joint spiders .

I come from a Nissan background and know that the gearboxes slip joint spline is the same as many 80's Nissan's , Bluebirds have a two piece shaft and could donate the slip joint section and hooks . The rear end I'm told suits the L's R160 rear diff which is Nissan anyway . Then all you need is the joint and bearing in between .
The L's tail shaft being two piece may mean you could do it in two stages so spread the cost over time .

You need to find out which joint is going first .

If its too dear hunt around the wreckers because I think all L tail shafts are the same dimensionally .

Cheers A .

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Alex
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Post by Alex » Fri May 09, 2008 6:45 pm

i heard the l-series's are non-replaceable type.

but apparently they can replace them somehow!?? cut and weld? not sure.

when mine started making noise i just sourced anther tail shaft. Might be your best/cheapest option.

cheers

alex
my07 Outback
my13 Hyundai i45(shhhh)
my02 Gen3 Liberty limited ed.

previously
L-series wagon, LSD, EJ20turbo, 29in tyres, 'wanky wagon'
2000 gen3 outback, lifted, otherwise stock.

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discopotato03
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Post by discopotato03 » Sat May 10, 2008 10:12 am

By non repairable I mean the spider and bearings can't be removed without destroying the hooks (holes where the bearing caps are located) .

The hooks on early Bluebirds use a common replaceable spider and bearings so its a bit of future proofing . They need to be welded into the existing or new piece of steel tube (the right type) and balanced .
If they wear out again then you can remove and replace them reasonably cheaply and easily .

Actually this morning I am going to exchange mine for a L wagon tail shaft because mine has a balance and vibration issue .
I suspect this is because when I had the rear diff and the rear half of the tail shaft out I did not have time to check that they were in the same relationship with each other when it went back in (late afternoon dying light) .
Anyway I need to check the condition of the unis and see what Bluebird bits fit or require mods to give me replaceable uni joint spiders .

Lucky Nissan and Subaru had ties in that middle 80's era , cheers A .

Cheers A .

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