Ok, getting ready to put the rear end and drive shaft back together and I have seen a few post regarding the dangerous ball & trunion unit. I dare say I do not want to flip my 64 val vert /6 doing 65mph! So, I was thinking of doing the jeep type swap but my local So Cal driveline shop wants $400 to do it. That's a little steep for me right now. I was thinking of trying some sort of strap for the drive line. Has anyone done a strap? Is there any good instructions on the web? Parts list? Also, I have seen some posts that say this repair could be done around $200. Anyone know of a shop in the Inland Empire (45 miles south east of LA) area of So Cal that might do this for a reasonable price?

Thanks

James.

If there is not a lot of slop in your B&T, then don't worry about it. These are very durable units, and should be good for >150k if the dust boot isn't gone, or has only split recently. The design is more robust than standard u-joints, but is just hard to get parts for.

Cannon driveshaft in N. Hollywood could certainly hook you up for less than $400, but probably $300 or so.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Even if a B&T joint fails, ( and that is not often) they will not "fly apart" like a conventional U-joint. The outside housing of the B&T tends to keep all the parts "contained". You will get a big vibration if something comes apart in there.
DD

Dart 270:


I found a new dust boot for $20 from some guy selling mopar parts. I'm going to buy it and replace the old that only has fragments left. I don't know how long the car had been driven previously with no boot. I'll check the play tonight and see if I can discern to what degree it is loose.


Doc:


So do I really have to worry about pole vaulting my car or is this just buying into hype I have seen posted? We're talking about a weekend driver when I get it put back together. Will the drive line tend to drop to the ground if the ball & trunion gives?

Thanks

James.

As Doc said, no driveline drop if it blows. It will start to vibrate long before it goes kaput.

You can make a quickie boot by wrapping a trash bag around it and zip tying it on.

Lou

_________________
Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

When I had my driveshaft shortened, I asked the same question. The response was the parts for the B&T are available from Spicer, there is no need to do the conversion. The B&T will most likely outlast the car if you keep it greased and the water out. The conversion would have been about $90 more then just shortening the driveshaft.

Needless to say, I just had the driveshaft shorten.

Replaced my B/T 6 years ago and have had no problems. Need to make sure the boot is kept greased or if your situation is like mine where uncorrected fluid leaks have shortened boot life replace on a frequent baisis.