As Dale and I were removing the drive shafts, we were careful to mark the position of each shaft so we could correctly put them back together. However, one of the U-joint bearing assemblies came off and we had a hundred little “needle” bearings running around on the driveway. These guys are the size of pencil lead, about ¾ of an inch long. Well no use crying over spilt bearings, we can always get a replacement U-joint. Or so I thought. You can see in the picture that 66 years of grime adds up.
With the frame finished, the brakes on, and the suspension installed, it was time to work on the drive shaft. The first order of business was to replace the U-joints. Well as y’all know, I have a special needs truck, that being one of the ¾ ton persuasion. My internet search for the U-joints turned up some complicated Universal joint sub-system assembly for $150 each, I needed three, and to top it off I wasn’t sure if this was even the correct part. I had Iooked in all the usual parts stores, tried eBay, and even went to physical stores. Nothing, zero, nada, zilch!
Time to use a lifeline and take it to the SHOP. I loaded the parts into my PT Cruiser and was off to see the Wizard. This was new ground for me, taking my shaft into the shop. After three trips from the parking lot, my parts were all on the counter. This is when Heidi, that’s what I call her, an older German looking blond lady with a long pig-tail. She came out and asked what I needed. I will make a note that a German looking man in a pristine blue shop apron was five feet away from the counter working on something at the same time. I tell Heidi that I think my U-joints need to be replaced, however I am not sure and wondered if she could look at my parts and advise me on what to do. I am glad her name was not Dr. Ruth.
Well Heidi examines my U-joints and drive shaft and I explain that I made a terrible mistake and spilled my needle bearings all over the place. She said that it happens all the time and then looked at the U-joints. This is where she says that “he” would know what to do. Did I mention that “he” was five feet away! So Heidi and I are having this diagnostic discussion, me who knows nothing, Heidi is trying, and the Wizard is behind some invisible wall. Finally after about 15 minutes of bumbling discussion with Heidi, “he” walks over, looks at the U-joints and points out to Heidi that they need to be replaced. Why am I not surprised.
About a week later I received a call to say that the parts were replaced and that I could come pick them up. This time the Wizard was talkative and we were discussing the repair process. Turns out the old U-joints were really rusted together. He spent a week spraying Liquid Wrench on the parts just to loosen them up. When I commented that I would have replaced them myself if I could have found the correct U-joints, he calmly informed me that there was no way a Pilgrim like me could have done it, since – okay here it comes – he had Special Tools that you even had to have a certificate just to be able to purchase them.
Well I have to tell you, the $120 dollars I spent for this work was worth every penny. Just look. I have to tell you that the pretty blue bands on the U-joint surly comefrom the rubber bands they use on Maine lobster claws.
As you can see I have one piece of the drive shaft connected to the transmission and doesn’t it look grand.
Happy Day
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