Drive shaft help for '82 Celica

[Sarstan237]

I've been having difficulty with my drive shaft coming together the past few days. I found out I had to replace my center bearing assembly and got the part I need from a wrecking yard, along with a front piece of the two piece shaft. Taking it back home, I took of my old, ruined front driveline and put in the new one, only to find even though the two pieces are identical, are shaped the same, same size, length, etc, and it bolts into the chassis perfectly, the rear part won't reach far enough to connect with it.

Should I try stretching the rubber bearing a bit and try to force the two parts together in such a fashion, or does anyone else have another suggestion? Also, I do have all the parts and all of them seem to be fine. I'm just not sure if I should force the shaft further down, streching the rubber cover over the bearing.

[Sarstan237]

Well, I took care of the issue myself today. I went out and got the rear peice of the driveline and compared it to my original peice. Turns out that somehow the old peice got pressed shorter that what it's supposed to be. I put in the other driveline peice and it fits perfectly. Only problem is now the U-joint on this one is screwed up. I'll be taking care of that tomorrow or Friday when I head to the wrecking yard to get another one. I hope that if anyone else has this issue, this helps.

[Deep]

Glad to see you figured it out.

[Sarstan237]

Now I should ask how to take a drive shaft that somehow got compressed into itself and pull it back out to proper length.

[Deep]

I've seen driveshaft yokes pushed into the shaft as a result of bad rear end collisions, aside from that, i dunno.

[Sarstan237]

Well, strange enough, this car (at least as far as I know of) had never had a collision that was severe, expecially rear-ended. I don't suppose it's possible that just typical wear and tear could wedge it into itself and do that, could it? I admit I drive it hard, but I can't think of any time I've driven it THAT hard...

[Deep]

Just a thought, but if your rear end mounts and engine/tranny mounts are worn enough, and you like doing wheel-hopping burnouts, that might cause enough driveline movement, doubtful though.

[Sarstan237]

I don't race my Celica. I know I drive it hard, but I don't drag race. But then again, it was old. Perhaps that might have been enough. Thanks anyway.

[fredk]

Is his driveshafts master splined so he can keep all the u joints in phase or not?