VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 '31 U-Joint Rebild Kit?

Anyone know a source for a rebuild kit for the u-joint at the rear of the transmission on a '31? I did not see one in the Filling Station catalog or other vendors that I have used, nor any mention of such a kit in the chat archives. The u-joint is what my shop manual calls the "bolted type" - basically 4 metal donuts held in a stamped metal cage. The donuts have some scoring and I would like to replace them if possible. As always, thanks for the help!

You will probably have to find a good used or a new old stock U joint to replace the U joint that you have.

When installing the four trunnions (donuts) make sure that you install them correctly since there is a right way and a wrong way to install the trunnions on the U joint.

This article by Bill .B at his 1931 website will help you work out how to go about the repair.
Click on the link
http://1931chevrolet.com/restoration/universaljoint/index.htm

Is the scoring on the outside of the donuts? If so that doesn't matter as they are held firmly between the two plates and don't move. I believe this is right as I can't see how they would move. Usually when there is where in that joint its my understanding that it's the pins on the yokes that wear, not the donuts. I'm sure someone here will correct me if I'm wrong but this is what I "think" I've learned.

I have also found significant wear on the U-joint trunnions. Haven't had to bush any yet but feel that day is coming as finding good front trunnion for the pre-'32 Chevys is getting harder. Have also thought about brazing or welding and cutting back to standard. Of course someone could decide to make some new ones or a replacement with a more modern design (needle bearings) so we could put single sided sealed bearings in the transmission and eliminate a major source of lube leakage.

Christech brought up a point that did not occur to me. I think he is correct that the trunions or "donuts" do not move or at least do not move much when bolted between the two halves of the stamped metal cage. I re-assembled the u-joint on the workbench this week and found that the donuts are held pretty tightly. The wear to be concerned with then is really on the inside of the donuts. Makes me wonder about the basic design of the joint. The donuts are not rigidly mounted to the cage - perhaps they are intended to slip a little under extreme circumstances.