Driveshaft

[nyuk98GT]

Totally agree. The JXB looks really nice, I guess it is around 400€ here in Germany. But, I noticed yesterday that the upper part of this metal bracket is bend differently and not clamping the rubber down on my driveshaft. Maybe I just got an production error? (And that my driveshaft was painted black from factory)

View attachment 108249

Right now my 25 year old Mercedes occupies my lift and my Mustang is dayli driver, will take some time before I can do something.

GriffX,

Sorry, I did not realize you were in Germany (where imported car parts are outrageously expensive).

The upper piece may have deformed by the vibration of the driveshaft. The upper bracket has been straightened out a little and no longer clamps well, as you said. The shaft went up with some gusto against the bracket and it yielded some. If the bracket could be reshaped to original profile then welding would be needed to ensure the parallel surfaces do not spread apart again.

Chris

 

[GriffX]

GriffX,

Sorry, I did not realize you were in Germany (where imported car parts are outrageously expensive).

The upper piece may have deformed by the vibration of the driveshaft. The upper bracket has been straightened out a little and no longer clamps well, as you said. The shaft went up with some gusto against the bracket and it yielded some. If the bracket could be reshaped to original profile then welding would be needed to ensure the parallel surfaces do not spread apart again.

Chris

No, I have to apologize and updated the location.

(to pay sales tax and tariff on the shipping costs is really greedy from a state)

When I made the picture comparison I thought also, maybe I should try to bend it? I can do this small welding tasks.
I guess the force on this support bracket is higher than you think.
The U-joint angle at the transmission is 2.7 deg, not sure if this is normal, but I think that a high angle leads also to high radial force at the support bearing (?)

I read somewhere that Ford says between 1 and 3 degree is ok.

Thanks!

 

[nyuk98GT]

GriffX,

Glad to hear you can do the work yourself. I think it is worth a try because it should reduce vibration if the rubber can be held tighter in place.

1 to 3 degrees is what I have read on the internet (so it must be correct ), too. My car came with P springs (1" drop) and I have not measured the pinion angle. No noise or vibration so never had the need to measure. If I can find a good angle finder app, I will measure the angle at the trans and pinion.

Do aftermarket parts have to be approved by TUV in Germany? If so, does that also add to the cost? Got any friends or family coming for a visit? A car guy always appreciates a "gift" (as far as Customs is concerned) of small auto parts.

I'll see about measuring those angles and post back.
/edit/
Tremec has a driveshaft angle finder app! Can't beat that.
My plan is to get under the car on Sunday. I need to take a look at an AN braided hose just to make sure it is not rubbing on the body or in harm's way.
/end of edit/

Chris

 

[GriffX]

1 to 3 degrees is what I have read on the internet (so it must be correct ), too. My car came with P springs (1" drop) and I have not measured the pinion angle. No noise or vibration so never had the need to measure. If I can find a good angle finder app, I will measure the angle at the trans and pinion.

Do aftermarket parts have to be approved by TUV in Germany? If so, does that also add to the cost? Got any friends or family coming for a visit? A car guy always appreciates a "gift" (as far as Customs is concerned) of small auto parts.

Chris,
when you discuss things, you get ideas. I always thought, why has the 2-piece-shaft only one U-joint, so they cannot cancel the vibrations and need to dampen it in the support bracket? Because they need the two CV-joint that the suspension travel did not induce vibrations via angle change, so it is probably not important if you drop the car 1 inch. The suspension travel will be enough to spread the grease around in the joint. Like in the axle drive shafts of an independent rear axle, nobody cares about the angle if you drop the car.

Many parts have to be approved, I imported the car with 17 inch wheels, there is no real way to get the OEM Ford 18 inch wheels approved after import, so no big brake option for me (they changed the rule in 2018). It helps when the aftermarket part is black, so nobody is attracted to it. I have black J&M LCAs, for a German car they must be approved, nobody noticed it. Same with brake pads. Parts like the JXB support bracket does not need approval, shocks no approval, springs yes. Unfortunately the P-springs are blue, otherwise a shorter black spring with Ford logo, nobody would say anything.
H&R offers springs with TUV here, but they are way too stiff for me and expensive + TUV fees. You can buy TUV approved wheels, 4 wheels + tires, 3000€+ and again TUV fees.

There is a war against cars in the EU. The German SEMA, Essen Motorshow, is getting smaller each year. To get the driver license is 4000€ now. I got it for 500€. Many years ago I had a job offer in Memphis, I regret it now. When I'm on vacation in USA, I always buy parts, 450€ is toll free.

I once experienced the 4th July in Eugene, OR, and it is a nice memory for me.

you all guys
Happy 4th July

 

[nyuk98GT]

Thanks, GriffX, for the good wishes for July 4th! And thanks for the 2-piece vs. 1-piece explanation - makes perfect sense (and it has been many moons since I sat in Dynamics class).

Holy cow! 4,000 Euros for a drivers license? and TUV-approved wheels and tires for 3,000 Euros! That's pretty awful. And you guys have very high taxes on salaries/income as well as a VAT. At least the beer is tasty and the automotive engineering is excellent.

Keep us posted about the driveshaft carrier rehabbing, please.

Chris