Set Screw or Pinch Style U-Joints

[HUSSEY]

I have never bought u-joints before so I have no experience. Looks like my options are either a set screw style:
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.ph...s0011/FR2533DD

Or a pinch style:
http://www.flamingriver.com/index.ph...s0007/FR2746DD

I have noticed that with the set screw style there are two set screws on the DD side but only one set screw on the splined side (side to my gearbox.)

I plan on using a slip shaft with the u-joints.

Any opinions on what works better, is safer, experience with either?

Thanks,
HUSSEY

[Katrina/10]

I have used both. The pinch/clamp type ones had to be really, really tight to prevent them from being loose on the shaft. They are also rather fat, if you might have a clearance problem. The set screw type clamped down easily with no wiggle. That was my experience.

[OrrieG]

Probably not the look you are after, but I used a combination of astro-van ends and 74 center slide section. Box (74 gm) and column (82 Eldorado) had 3/4" splines with a groove. The u-joint 1/4" bolt went into the groove the tighten the joint onto the shaft and keep it from pulling off. Where the double D shafts mated together I used a tapped set screw and spot weld because of the potential stress on the joints off road. $15 total investment, once painted chassis black disappears down in the hole between inner panel and engine.

[skip99]

Id go set screw, i bought pinch type and had clearance issues..

[tmoble]

Orrie, that's excellent. Making something out of nothing.

My 57 truck with 2nd gen Camaro clip has an early Toronado steering shaft, has that same u-joint yours has. Total investment = $0. Found it on the ground at a wrecking yard, they said "take it." Free is good.

Cool deal, the Toronado upper shaft was cut off with a torch, still hanging on the shaft. I discovered it was tubular, cleaned it up, it slipped on the 57 column shaft with a little persuasion. couple minutes with a MIG, all done. It was the right length and the rag joint fit the Canaro box. Gotta love it when stuff falls together like that.

[HUSSEY]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Probably not the look you are after, but I used a combination of astro-van ends and 74 center slide section. Box (74 gm) and column (82 Eldorado) had 3/4" splines with a groove. The u-joint 1/4" bolt went into the groove the tighten the joint onto the shaft and keep it from pulling off. Where the double D shafts mated together I used a tapped set screw and spot weld because of the potential stress on the joints off road. $15 total investment, once painted chassis black disappears down in the hole between inner panel and engine.

Looks good. Is the Astro upper a DD? Did you weld the different sections together? I see the Pick N Pull in my area has a couple Astros, may have to make a trip next weekend.

[_Ogre]

i used the astro column in truk with set screw u-joints, but with a fixed shaft
the way i have it in there you can loosen all the set screws and nothing can fall apart
i have to unbolt the column and pull it back to remove either u-joint

after all the fit up i removed the shaft and drilled holes for the set screw to go into
as part of my spring start up i check the set screws to make sure they're tight

[HUSSEY]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

the way i have it in there you can loosen all the set screws and nothing can fall apart
i have to unbolt the column and pull it back to remove either u-joint

That's one feature I like about a fixed length shaft, even if the joints come loose they can't come off the gearbox or column. However, I've learned that a slip shaft should be considered for safety reasons. If you're in an accident involving the front of the truck a solid shaft could drive the column up into your chest whereas a slip shaft would compress.

Thinking out loud here, maybe take a slip shaft, drill a hole through the outer and inner shaft and install a small pin that would shear if involved in an accident. That way, the shaft is fixed, preventing it from coming off the column and gearbox if the u-joints came loose but would compress on impact.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by HUSSEY

Looks good. Is the Astro upper a DD? Did you weld the different sections together? I see the Pick N Pull in my area has a couple Astros, may have to make a trip next weekend.

Here is more detail on mine. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=120

[_Ogre]

my experience is; that if you're in a wreck bad enough to warrant a collapsible column in an old truck
you're going to want the column thru your chest

between the doors opening, the a-pillars folding, the firewall coming in and the metal dash breaking all the bones in your head;
these trucks are not safe in a wreck and really no way to make them safe in a wreck
no crumple zones and no side impact protection makes for a rough wreck

best safety plan for driving an old truck is to not get in a wreck or leave it in the driveway and drive the new truck

[tmoble]

Dang, _Ogre is feeling a little harsh today.

[HUSSEY]

Originally Posted by _Ogre

my experience is; that if you're in a wreck bad enough to warrant a collapsible column in an old truck
you're going to want the column thru your chest

between the doors opening, the a-pillars folding, the firewall coming in and the metal dash breaking all the bones in your head;
these trucks are not safe in a wreck and really no way to make them safe in a wreck
no crumple zones and no side impact protection makes for a rough wreck

best safety plan for driving an old truck is to not get in a wreck or leave it in the driveway and drive the new truck

Well, in that case then, maybe a quick death would be more welcomed.

[OrrieG]

I have had one accident in my truck, back in 77. 75 Volvo clipped my front bumper destroying the license plate stopping with my bumper in the passenger door. Volvo buckled the hood, passenger fender and door and cracked the windshield. I repainted the bumper and got a new plate. Not saying I wouldn't come out better in my wife CRV with all the bells and whistles, but still trust heavy metal over plastic. If it's bad enough to be crumpling a pillars and collaspeing roofs life is going to be interesting in any rig.

Go get a nice milkshake on me and relax a bit!!!