Just for reference- Universals for all models Spitfire & Herald are
available from local parts stores(at least in US) from Precision(Brand
name). I think the number is 341 or 431... I have to check, but they are an
on the shelf item usually... And all four u-joints(2 on driveshaft, 2 on
axles) are the same.
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Richard B Gosling" <Gosling_Richard_B@perkins.com>
To: "spitfires" <spitfires@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2001 9:00 AM
Subject: UJs - Do them NOW
>
> Those of you with a long and detailed memory will recall that about 1 1/2
years
> ago I was driving along the 70 mph, dual carriageway system that
circulates
> around Peterborough, when a universal joint on the off-side driveshaft
> dismantled itself, leaving the wheel located only by the spring and
radius arm
> (i.e. very badly), and I considered myself very lucky to make it to the
side
> of the road without hitting anything. The thrashing around of the
unconnected
> driveshaft end had knackered the UJ flange (both sides), and taken out
the
> handbrake cable guide. It was a scary thing to happen. What was worse
was
> that I KNEW the UJ was dodgy, but I had decided to wait to the weekend to
fix
> it, when it would be more conveniant - but continued to drive the car
(because
> I don't have anything else to drive!).
>
> Well, you would think I would learn from my mistakes. Apparently not. I
> actually got a complete driveshaft/hub/trunnion assembly from TRGB,
> second-hand, and fitted that, as the easiest solution - the UJ on that
felt
> OK, so I didn't bother replacing it. A week or two ago, I noticed some
free
> play in the driveline, and, on assessment, discovered a little free play
in
> the diff, but most was due to play in the UJ - the same one that I hadn't
> bothered replacing 1 1/2 years and 20,000 miles ago. Oh well, I thought,
I'd
> better replace it - but I'll wait until I get the s/h spring a friendly
chap I
> met at Jeff's Totally Triumph Garage decided to sell me, then I can do it
all
> at once.
>
> Friday night, I set off home, still with some free play in the system. I
> noticed a slight squeaking sound, once per wheel rotation. I noticed
more
> vibration than ususal as I built up speed. Daffy could not have tried
harder
> to warn me of impending doom, but I ignored her and sped on homewards,
> thinking more about the coming weekend. Sure enough (and co-incidentally
> within a couple of hundred yards of where it happened last time), the UJ
fell
> to pieces, and I again swerved to the side of the dual carriageway
without
> killing myself or anyone else, before finding a 'phone box to call the AA
to
> come and get me (not too happy to be loading a car onto a trailer at the
edge
> of a fast dual carriageway with no hard shoulder).
>
> The message here is loud and clear - IF YOUR UJ IS BAD, REPLACE IT I M
M E D
> I A T E L Y , DO NOT WAIT FOR A HANDY MOMENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> As a suffix to this, I had the AA tow the car to the workshop back where I
> work, and I spent 3 hours replacing the UJ, as I had already bought a
spare
> and it was in the car. I noticed a crack in the flange, but decided to
press
> on, and replace the flange later when I could get hold of one - I needed
to
> fix the car that night so I could get home, and so I could get to work on
> Monday. I got 100 yards before the flange broke and 3 hours work was
undone,
> and I was stranded. That was when I REALLY lost my cool!
>
> Richard and Daffy (not as well loved today as she usually is - but if I'm
> honest it is my fault not hers!)
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