What’s this?

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
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I’m at Santa Pod again and something broke - I think it’s part of the driveshaft UJ. What do you reckon?
 

johnymd

Club Member
Thanks a bit unfortunate. I know what its like to have things fail as I've been there too many times.

Time for an upgrade?
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
That really sucks having a part failure at an event.

John, what is the upgrade for a driveshaft UJ??? Someone makes a stronger piece I presume?
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Thanks chaps - If there is an easyish upgrade, I'll take it - but what is it? can I just ask for super strong UJs?
 

Jimbo

1978 260z in yellow
Club Member
if its just a pin could you go to a machinist and ask them to make you a new one?
or is it the complete coupling thats one bang?
interestingly i just googled it and tr4 owners seem to be modifying datsun shafts to fit their own so maybe theres a supplier out there for these parts?
 

ben240z

Club Member
That is one problem with Santa Pod. The level of grip is massive so the weak link will give way. I am still using standard shafts on mine and have had about 4 break in the years I have owned it. I believe there is a stronger UJ but cant remember where I have seen them.
Another issue is with all the poly bushes available and fitted these days it takes all the compliance out of the car so therefore the shock loading is far greater as there is no rubber to take up the shocks and strains.
Just my 2 pence worth
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
if its just a pin could you go to a machinist and ask them to make you a new one?
or is it the complete coupling thats one bang?
interestingly i just googled it and tr4 owners seem to be modifying datsun shafts to fit their own so maybe theres a supplier out there for these parts?



It’s a bit of the central cross from the UJ - I’ve had them replaced before so don’t think there’s a problem getting a new one fitted by a prop specialist.
Don’t suppose that TR4 trick works in reverse
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
That is one problem with Santa Pod. The level of grip is massive so the weak link will give way. I am still using standard shafts on mine and have had about 4 break in the years I have owned it. I believe there is a stronger UJ but cant remember where I have seen them.
Another issue is with all the poly bushes available and fitted these days it takes all the compliance out of the car so therefore the shock loading is far greater as there is no rubber to take up the shocks and strains.
Just my 2 pence worth



Today was the first time I’ve walked on the track - I couldn’t get over how sticky it was- I’d imagined it was like normal smooth tarmac.
I reckon the quaife had something to do with it breaking - previously one wheel would have spun. Today it had to spin two!
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
More than just the UJ then: the shaft side yoke too.
Anyone know if this is something a prop shop might be able to replace? You must have broken one someyime John P
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It also bent the hand brake bracket a bit and split the fuel line - But they were easy to fix.
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johnymd

Club Member
So its the propshaft and not the halfshaft?

If it is then there is a cheap and easy route to take on this one. Have the prop rebuilt with bigger joints. I had another prop made recently using land rover joints. the diff flange is the same and you can get them with a common uprated joint. I believe the joint is called a 1310.
 

johnymd

Club Member
This is similar to my last breakage at santa pod but in my case the flange broke and the spider stayed intact. Either have your prop rebuilt with a 1310 rear UJ of get a new prop made. I have never had to replace the front joint in the 6 years of abuse but replaced the rear many times. Make sure the new flange has a closed centre or it will be a lot weaker than the original Datsun joint.
 

johnymd

Club Member
Just realised your running S14 box so I guess this prop has already been uprated when it was shortened.?
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Thanks John, yes propshaft - dunno why I said driveshaft originally, maybe I had PTSD
The prop wasn’t uprated when it was shortened, although it did have a new UJ, probably this broken one.
I’ll take it in to northwest propshafts on Tuesday and see if they’ll fit a spicer 1310.

No problem clearing the ARB I take it?
 
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