[DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements

David in Durango adin at frontier.net
Tue Jan 27 23:11:37 EST 2009


Certainly worth "looking" at, even if just to make sure there is no wear.

Have fun!
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Charles Engles 
  To: David in Durango 
  Cc: detomaso at realbig.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 8:54 PM
  Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements


  Dear David,


                 No problems, but thinking that if the steering linkage has the same ancient u joints in it as the shift linkage does , then new, modern u- joints might further improve the handling "feel".


                            Warmest regards,  Chuck Engles

  PS:  Rotards!    I love it!






    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: David in Durango 
    To: Charles Engles 
    Cc: detomaso at realbig.com 
    Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 9:42 PM
    Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements


    Ooops, sorry.
    No, fabbed up steering linkage in my truck (new motor, front suspension, steering rack, etc.)

    BUT, lots of problems can be solved w/ "hot rod" stuff.  It wouldn't surprise me if Borgeson had joints (ok, maybe not) but one could surely fabricate new stuff.

    As far as Pantera steering. . . IIRC, it uses a D slip (Jack?) - mine has a touch of "slop" - inherent (inhairant?) in the design.  I would guess careful inspection will reveal worn parts.  If there are sharp angles this could cause wear.  A new joint or realignment (flipping 90 or 180) might cure issues.  Hopefully , someone will clarify or debunk my thoughts on this.  At any rate, two of us spent some time "feeling" the new system so it would have smooth operation and no tight spots.  Make any sense?

    Are you havng specific issues?  or just hoping for something better?

    Sometimes I can communicate better w/ speech than typing . . .  let me know - you might see if Dan or Jack or some folks with more experience or education can add some wisdom.

    cheers,

    David, sometimes recognizing the answer is the hard part.
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Charles Engles 
      To: David in Durango 
      Cc: detomaso at realbig.com 
      Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 7:32 PM
      Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements


      Dear David,


                      Are you saying that you went through the Pantera steering linkage and replaced the original u-joints with the superior Borgeson (sp?) units?   If yes, then did you perceive improvement in the handling-steering feel?


                                  Curious,  Chuck Engles






      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: "David in Durango" <adin at frontier.net>
      To: <wkooiman at earthlink.net>; "Chris Difani" <cdifani at pacbell.net>; <detomaso at realbig.com>
      Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 7:54 PM
      Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements


      >I thought the speedway product was "iffy" and ordered some borgeson (sp?) - 
      > sure enough  . . .more $ and MUCH nicer.  Fabbed the whole steering w/ 
      > borgeson stuff.
      > 
      > David
      > ----- Original Message ----- 
      > From: <wkooiman at earthlink.net>
      > To: "Chris Difani" <cdifani at pacbell.net>; <detomaso at realbig.com>
      > Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 3:39 PM
      > Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements
      > 
      > 
      >> I'm doing the same thing, except I sourced it all from Quella.  His price 
      >> for the u-joints was in the $70's.  I figured I could save a little by 
      >> figuring it out myself, but this way I know it's right.
      >>
      >> He also rebuilt the shifter, plus he noticed my turn-buckle was bent, so 
      >> he straightened it.
      >>
      >> Some of my original u-joints were fine, some had slop.  I'm replacing all 
      >> of them, though.  There's no sense in having it all apart and doing a 
      >> half-anal-lubed job.
      >>
      >> -----Original Message-----
      >>>From: Chris Difani <cdifani at pacbell.net>
      >>>Sent: Jan 27, 2009 3:02 AM
      >>>To: detomaso at realbig.com
      >>>Subject: [DeTomaso] Slippery Slope: Shift Linkage U-Joints, Replacements
      >>>
      >>>Guys:
      >>>
      >>>This is another report from the slippery slope.... really, really far down 
      >>>the slope....
      >>>
      >>>I've been looking at my shift linkage rod, the piece that extends back 
      >>>from the ZF, to the rod that extends out of the firewall.  The piece that 
      >>>has the length adjustment in it's center, has ends that are 14MM in 
      >>>diameter, with 36 splines, and may have a small, very, very stiff u-joint 
      >>>on each end.
      >>>
      >>>Those small u-joints are the subject of my report.
      >>>
      >>>My linkage u-joints are, well to be charitable, I'll simply call them 
      >>>"stiff".  They're in relatively good shape for 35 year old mechanisms, but 
      >>>even after a thorough and enthusiastic cleaning, they remained stiff 
      >>>beyond hope.  Or at least stiffer than I want them to be.  So I started to 
      >>>look into replacements.  I was surprised to find that the 14MM by 36 
      >>>spline size is relatively common (or at least they're listed in catalogs). 
      >>>I found them in Summit, Jegs, and a few other vendors.  They came in both 
      >>>stainless, and nickel plated steel.  And what was the best news, was that 
      >>>these new u-joints are not the "block" type of small u-joint like our OEM 
      >>>units, but rather a full needle bearing style of u-joint.
      >>>
      >>>Then of course, there's the price.  They aren't cheap.... but you knew 
      >>>that already (when you're this far down the slope, cost is secondary!).  I 
      >>>bought the nickel plated versions, made by Flaming River (part number 
      >>>FR-1761 or Summit part number FLA-FR1761) and they were $68 each to my 
      >>>door.  One peculiarity about these items is that Summit, and Jegs both 
      >>>wait until they get an actual order before they order the part in from the 
      >>>manufacturer.  Even though the online catalog says "will be in stock in 12 
      >>>days", it won't really ever be "in stock" until someone actually orders 
      >>>one.  I didn't realize that, so I waited for a couple of months for the 
      >>>part to "be in stock", so I could order them.  I finally got disgusted 
      >>>with Summit, and ordered from another vendor, Hot RodUSA.  They had the 
      >>>u-joints dropped shipped from Flaming River, plus they beat Summits price.
      >>>
      >>>I received the u-joints 4 days after placing my order, and they are very 
      >>>nicely made.  Extremely well made, well finished, and very precise.  In 
      >>>terms of dimensions, the Flaming River u-joints are almost identical to 
      >>>the OEM units, being at most, 1.2MM smaller in diameter, and 1MM shorter 
      >>>in overall length.  The fit onto the shaft splines is excellent.
      >>>
      >>>The "action" of the new u-joints is flawless.  There is no "drag", or 
      >>>resistance when the u-joint is flexed.  It's range of motion is perfectly 
      >>>smooth, and with no rough spots.  The only significant difference in the 
      >>>design is the Flaming River u-joints use a set screw with a locking nut to 
      >>>secure itself to the shaft.  The OEM u-joints use a pinch bolt design. 
      >>>I'm not sure if either method is superior to the other, but I do believe 
      >>>that the set screw will prove to be sufficient.
      >>>
      >>>I can't give you a function report yet, but that's only because my ZF is 
      >>>still on it's stand, right next to my engine.  Hopefully in the next two 
      >>>months, I'll get back to the list with a performance report.  But I can 
      >>>say that compared to my OEM shift linkage u-joints, these new Flaming 
      >>>River u-joints are far superior in all respects.
      >>>
      >>>Hope this helps,
      >>>
      >>>Chris
      >>>
      >>>Chris Difani
      >>>'73 L #5829 "LITNNG"
      >>>The Electric Pantera
      >>>Sacramento, CA
      >>>Email: cdifani at pacbell.net
      >>>
      >>>
      >>>
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