Universal Joints

[440Interceptor]

Morning all,

How do I find out what Uni joints my car uses? As part of the rebuild I want to replace them all as I'm sure they've never been done during the car's life. Hoping to leverage someone else's knowledge, having BTDT. 1984 280i.

Looks like 4 for the rear drive shafts and another 2 for the central drive shaft from memory?

Thanks in advance, Toby.

[Wedg1e]

Easy: diameter of the bearing caps in teh cruciform joint and the distance across teh outer faces of the caps. There are usually three type numbers quoted but I think usually the smaller of the three on the 280i.
Make sure that whichever you buy have grease nipples and use them regularly!

[440Interceptor]

Thanks Ian, I've never even looked at a uni joint that closely so here comes another learning curve.

[Wedg1e]

440Interceptor said:

Thanks Ian, I've never even looked at a uni joint that closely so here comes another learning curve.

No probs: some filthy pictures of propshaft porn here if you're bored (scroll down a bit...) :

http://www.wedgeneering.co.uk/TVR%20390SE%20p13.ht...

[440Interceptor]

Oh God I've got a lot of work to do..... still, one step at a time..

[440Interceptor]

On the subject of steering column mounts and uni joints (I have the Natella ones) I want to replace both joints and the steering column bush arrangement. I have read the posts on the subject but I don't have the skills or tools to stat turning my own bushes etc so I wondered whether that advice is still the only solution or whether enterprising owners have come up with alternative solutions?

Re the UJs, I can feel play in both of mine and the seals are cracked or missing. Are they available anywhere or can they be rebuilt?

Thanks, Toby

[440Interceptor]

Here are photos of the steering column UJs. Anyone know how I get them apart as they have no circlips

[440Interceptor]

[Number 7]

No circlips because they're staked. I wouldn't be comfortable dismantling and re-building a joint like that, but that's just me. Surely a complete new joint would not be much more expensive than the worn part?

[440Interceptor]

Ah yes of course, sorry, never seen 'em before. If I could find new ones or something that would substitute for them I would gladly buy them.. have contacted ML and RT no reply yet..

[Wedg1e]

Yes, I did strip and rebuild the Nadella joints on my Tasmin, they were staked but for the life of me I can't recall how I overcame that... probably involved small chisels or a die grinder. It obviously doesn't matter if you damage the bearing cups as they're going in the bin anyway.
I seem to remember that actually getting the cruciform out once the cups were removed was a bit of an adventure owing to the curve of the joint 'halves'.

[440Interceptor]

Found them!

http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID006210

TKC1084 and UKC2449. Waiting for Rimmers to come back to me. Found another 3 suppliers as well. Happy days.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi mate...Im not sure that the steering UJ's are TR7...The input and output shafts were different sizes, Especially the joining shaft in-between the upper and lower steering column.
There are several different types..I used to get mine from DG and would need to supply the total length of the UJ..The OD of each input and output shaft...However DG has sold up to TVR car parts so not sure what the score is there?..

Im pretty sure though that they are not an off the shelf part..However the driveshaft and prop UJ's should be.....Ziga

[440Interceptor]

B@lls.

[mrzigazaga]

440Interceptor said:

B@lls.

Sorry mate...I used to get mine from David Gerald TVR but he has sold up to the new TVR car parts...Mind you i shouldn't of said .."They are not an off the shelf part" because they are...In a way...

These guys do the top and bottom steering column UJ's but as I'm to believe its not one size fits all..Might be worth a bit more research..

https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=...

Also speak to Rimmers as the one they have might be okay...Although i have never heard of anyone getting them from them???...