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[Buzz]

Double checking my halfshaft measurements this morning, I noticed that the yokes on either end of the shafts are not aligned in the same plane, ie: if the yoke on one end is laying flat or perfectly horizotal, the other end is at a 35 to 45 degree angle. In every single photo of halfshafts that I look at, whether stock length or shortened, the yokes are aligned in the same plane. Does this indicate that my shafts have been twisted? It's a sobering thought if that is the case.

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Does this indicate that my shafts have been twisted? It's a sobering thought if that is the case.

That would be my guess. My 427 Corvette had one twisted somewhat like that when I restored it. The yoke ends should be exactly 90 degrees apart to stay in phase and operate smoothly.

[Buzz]

Hi Dan - I'm not sure if I articulated clearly - I meant that normally, the axes of the yokes on either end line up parallel in the vertical plane when the shaft is laying flat on the floor as in the pic above. On mine, if the shaft is laid flat like that the yoke on one end would lie flat but the other, instead of also lying flat, would be twisted about 30 to 45 degrees. On one shaft this is a lot more pronounced than the other.

[joyridin']

If they were twisted, you would see more wrong than just the 30-45 degree twist. With that much twist, the metal would be buckling and the 2 ends would not be on the same plane in any direction.

Sounds more like somebody welded them together incorrectly. I assume they are not the cast version?

[DanEC]

Originally Posted by Buzz

Hi Dan - I'm not sure if I articulated clearly - I meant that normally, the axes of the yokes on either end line up parallel in the vertical plane when the shaft is laying flat on the floor as in the pic above. On mine, if the shaft is laid flat like that the yoke on one end would lie flat but the other, instead of also lying flat, would be twisted about 30 to 45 degrees. On one shaft this is a lot more pronounced than the other.

No - I think you articulated clearly - I had a brain fart and not sure where I came up with that 90 deg phasing BS - too little caffeine or something. I agree that that much twist should show some distortion in the tube. Hard to imagine someone would weld them out that much too. My Corvette stub axle was probably only twisted about 10 deg but from memory (if I can trust that anymore) it already had a little distortion in the tube itself. But the Corvette axles are much larger dia at 2-1/2 inches also.

[Buzz]

This is the damaged left side right after I dropped the assembly. The white arrow shows the bent LCA and the green arrow shows the misalignment of the half shaft yoke ends - the outer yoke appears to be rotated counter-clockwise in relation to the inner yoke which would be consistent with a twist caused by forward acceleration. The other side is the same, reflecting a forward motion twist. The shafts are shortened stock cast units, not tubular. the hub carrier is broken on the bottom, allowing it to bend towards the front of the car.