Universal joint / Cardan shaft - Joint phase

[RBailey]

What phase / angle should the UJ's be on a drive shaft ?

I always thought it was in same angle, ie both 'Y' at same angle NOT 90degree out. However a freind (4x4 guy) told me should be 90 out.

Thanks,
Cheers, Richard B.

 

[Ign]

90 degrees at any point is gonna be a wash. 4 u-joint caps equally spaced = 360/4

I guess I don't understand the question? You don't want anything in between 90.

As for a double cardan, it'll only go together one way, then if you have a slip shaft in the driveshaft just slide it together at any of those 90 increments, assuming it's not keyed to only go together one way (in which case you hope it was welded up properly).

 

[Ironcrow]

I always thought it was in same angle, ie both 'Y' at same angle...

Yes, both ends in the same plane. You friend is incorrect.

 

[garfunkle24]

Yes, both ends in the same plane. You friend is incorrect.

^^^^^^^This +1

 

[RBailey]

Many thanks guys.

 

[Worsedog]

The other u-joint thing to remember is to keep the grease fitting under compression when the shaft is under load. You want to try to sqaush the hole, not rip it open.

Some claim it really doesn't matter, but it's an easy precaution.

 

[williamj]

This correct on a standard 2 u-joint drive shaft. If it is a double cardan(or C.V.) driveshaft the pinion angle needs to be in the same plane as the driveshaft, not the output. Heres a link that has some illustrations(I have no affiliation with them at all). HTH

http://www.4xshaft.com/driveline101.html