The u-joints are shot in my '85, and since I'm going to have to have the driveshaft out anyway, I was wondering if a S1 / S2 driveline will fit, so I can have the replaceable ones.

 

I guess i should take a closer look next time im under my car. I have never seen u-joints that cant be replaced. usually you remove the snaprings, beat the old ones out, beat the new ones in. am I missing something here?

 

Until recently I hadn't, either. From what I understand, the joints on the S3 driveshaft are press fit rather than using clips, but I haven't looked *that* hard at mine either, so your mileage may vary.

 

The earlier 1st gens had removable u joints, and the later I believe 83-5 had non replaceable press fit u joints.

You can have a drive line shop pop the old ones out and put in replaceable ones. but its not too cheap. If your going to have them mod an old one might as well have them build you a lightweight one.

I don't beleve the drive line will fit.

 

To answer the question.

You would have to change the pinion flange on the diff if you wanted to use the older drive shafts since the flange is larger on the 83-85 models. Drive shafts should be a dime a dozen at your local nor cal pick a parts.

 

...Or, replacement u- joints can be purchased from rockforddriveline.com. About $20 ea. They come with instructions but it does require some special tools to do it easlily.

 

What kind of special tools?

 

A die grinder, big hammer and a punch. To get the old ones out I use a torch to make the 'X" of the old joint disappear then knock the old caps in toward the center. The die grinder is used to smooth out the peened teeth that used to hold the caps in. Once those are smoothed away you can press the new caps in from the outside and use the new internal clips on the new caps.

 

Okay, thank you. I'm actually in Idaho at the moment, and the local junkyard only has a couple of S2 cars. Will probably have to find another method than torching out the middles, but all in all that sounds like the better option.

 

I haven't looked in a long time but doesn't someone make aftermarket drive shafts with replaceable u-joints? I can't remember but I'm going to need another drive shaft soon.

 

you can buy them from mazdatrix... they are expensive, i think it might be better to just have a company make you a lightweight one

 

Was under the car looking at the driveshaft today, and the staked part that holds the stock u-joints in looks like just a press-fit bronze ring, so with some work with a hammer and punch it should come out. Other than that, u-joints with retaining clips that fit around the bottom of the caps should go in. Whether or not the ones in the '79-'83 driveshafts will work I don't know, but as jgrewe said Rockford Driveline sells the right kind for $20 or so per. Come to find out that a friend has a set of those he bought for his FC that he decided not to use, so unless I can find a dshaft for $50 or so in the next couple of days the hammer is going to see some use.

 

New question: Will S1 / S2 u-joints fit without modifying anything other than knocking the staked rings out of the yokes?

 

Don't reuse old ones out of another driveshaft. The replacement ones are a Dodge part of all things.

 

For what vehicle, if I may ask?