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

[Erik Anderson]

Hi Chris.

Great message.  I recently pulled my powerplant in order to get at my
fuel cell, which is corroded.  In looking at my shift linkage I noticed
that the rods and joints appear to be in good shape; however, the shift
rod center support needs to be replaced.  Wilkinson sells the
replacement part:

06009A - SHIFT ROD CENTER SUPPORT/FRAME $78.41

Did you replace this part as well?

Thanks in advance,

EA
#3528

Ps. if you have any pix of your work, I would like to have to have a
look!

-----Original Message-----
From: detomaso-bounces at realbig.com [mailto:detomaso-bounces at realbig.com]
On Behalf Of Chris Difani
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 2:03 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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