The guy who's doing this work for me has told me, that the most important issue to remember when fitting the shaft back on, is that it should perfectly level? I assume he means level with the car between the center carrier/bearing to the back of the gearbox, but he suggested using a spirit level?

I thought that a tad odd, what if I haven't got the car jacked up perfectly level? It seems an unusual thing to say (unless I'm missing something here?).

There also the question of 'offset', a few have mentioned this within this article, do I go for a central installation or offset it high, left, or right? Bit confused as the best way to fit it when I get it back, especially in view of the repair guy saying "it must be level", level with what?

 

Technically said, you don't have a lot of choice....the carrier bearing is fixed, as is the strap holding the bearing. The differential is fixed, so its not going anywhere and the transmission is fixed. So what this guy is saying has me wondering if he's just having fun with you....like in the military when they tell you to go get some "prop wash".
The major thing with the drive shaft is it be balanced or you'll get a vibration you'll not soon forget and could snap it. Put it in as you took it out.

 

Thanks Highhorse, always better to accept the advice of someone in the know

 

 

They are called Flex Discs ...here's the ones I had gotten... Driveshaft Flex Disc MTC CBC-8996 ...Beemer's use this brand pretty much, they are way cheaper than Jaguar.

 

 

Hi Roman,

I agree that Highhorse's research is truly helpful!

Just to give you a few more search terms for the flex disc, they are also known by the following names:

Flexible Coupling
Flex Joint
Giubo (a shortening of the inventor's name, Giunti Boschi, often misspelled Guibo)
Jurid (named for an early manufacturer, Jurid Werke)

Cheers,

Don

 

Thanks Don!

 

Paul did you get the shaft in? If so, how is the vibration?

 

Isn't that a personal question?

 

Good catch, Highhorse!
I didn't even notice the double entendre. That really is funny!

Either I'm tired or I'm finally outgrowing my Jr. High sense of humor (not likely!!!).

Cheers,

Don

 

Hi to everyone. Sadly, it's been a long time since I posted anything, those that know me via PMs and emails know that I am a disabled person and can only get to work on the car on 'good' days, I've been quite ill for some months. But, back now and catching up with something I promised late last year regarding the refurbishing of prop-shafts, including pictures.

There has been many posts and comments regarding the centre bearings, the universal joint in the centre etc (I think some call the centre joint a CV joint?). I mentioned about a company here in the UK I was talking to about how difficult it was to get the parts, when, he turned round and just picked them off the shelf, he keeps them all in stock!

I had a spare prop-shaft from a breakers, I had this company fit both a new bearing, and centre Universal Joint, also the whole shaft balanced, and painted up... all for £60! (that's about $83 to our USA friends).

I think it may be wrong to 'openly advertise' the company that did it for me, but I will gladly supply details if anyone wishes to contact me via PM or email.

Here's the pictures:





Sure you will agree that for the money paid I got a really good deal? You can see in the 2nd picture the new bearing and U/J, now I just need a 'good' day and a lift to get it fitted, and hopefully stop the rumble at 50 mph!

I should have listened to all the advice and not fitted 'after market' brake disks to the front when I did all the work under the car, they warped within a few thousand miles and was the cause of the shudder I mentioned last time. While picking up my prop-shaft, I had the same guy skim my original disks, they work a treat.. What's the saying... "buy cheap buy twice"!

 

Paul,

I am very sorry to hear that you have been ill, but happy to know you are back up and working on your Jaguar again.

Thank you for the update on your propshaft. Since you won't benefit personally, I don't think it would be a violation of forum rules for you to mention the firm that provided such excellent service at such a reasonable price, so feel free to do so for the benefit of other members.

Thanks again for your update!

Cheers,

Don

 

+1 to Don's response, I too am glad your back and wish you a brighter future. Definitely keep us updated and for your fellow UK members, I'm sure they'd be interested in knowing your source.

 

Great to see you back, Paul, you must be at the end of your to-do list by now

 

I just noticed, is that spline marked for proper alignment install? As I showed earlier in the thread, they should have marked it or you'll probably have to have it rebalanced or you'll get another vibration.

 

Hi again, thank you for all the comments re my health, I really appreciate the kindness. A couple of responses:

Yes to Highhorse, they did put some white paint marks on to align the prop from the balance process, it's just the marks are underneath where the picture hasn't captured them, the guy did point out that the marks must align when fitting (which I still haven't managed yet!) but, I have a question:
Doesn't the 2 parts only go back together one way, isn't there a spline that is larger than the rest and will only fit into one larger recess?

Thanks to Don, I can list the company who did such a good job and so well priced:
Major & Aspinal
Unit 4 Rennys Lane
Dragonfield Industrial Estate
Durham. DH1 2RS. UK
+44 (0) 191 383 1818
I spoke to 'Stuart'

My good friend Eric: I believe mechanically I am almost there, though after experiencing the problems with the front discs warping again, I did decide that cheap is not the way, so I am collecting all original new spares for the front suspension/steering to replace in Springtime. I have the new shocks/dampers, have fully refurbished front hubs (with the larger wheel bearings), and have the top arms with new fitted ball joints on the way.

I have been intrigued by the posts regarding Ceramic discs and pads though, the Akebono pads being mentioned quite a lot, however it seems they are not available in the UK? There was a post from 'robertjag' who fitted both Ceramic discs and Ceramic faced pads, better braking and virtually no dust! Thinking about this as not expensive and welcome comments, but again, are they available in the UK, if not, it could push the pricing way up?
The only other small change is that I fitted a 120amp hr battery, bit of work required to fit the battery holder in place, but the car flings over better than ever, it does give a feeling of confidence in starting when it turns over so much faster. I hope I haven't created any risks regarding any electronic systems by fitting this, it seems to work fine?

I really need to attack the bodywork this Spring/Summer, the front wings are badly corroded but I have some much later newer ones to go on that have been stripped and etch primed. The only thing after this is how far I go getting the old paint off the rest of the car, previous owner(s) have just blasted over the top of original paint after a brief rubdown it seems! The old wings corroded where the front mudflaps were fitted. All the underneath of the car has been welded with new material and is absolutely solid, I think it will last longer than me!

So that's me up-to-date so far, more work to do but looking forward to the Spring/Summer, god it's cold in the UK at the moment!!

 

Can you change the center bearing by yourself or do you need driveshaft specialist for that?

 

You can do it yourself.................if you have a lift. I had a shop do it, labor was $250, (about 2 1/2" hrs) which I thought was better than me struggling under the car with jacks and jack stands.

Exhaust has to come off to gain access to remove the driveshaft(s).

Be sure to mark the driveline so it goes back in exactly the same orientation.

Could check for balance while it's off (that would need a specialist) and replace the universal joint?

Recommended to replace the 2 flex couplings at the same time, I found they were responsible for 40% of the vibration.

I also replaced the transmission mount, even though it looked okay.


.

 

Much obliged.