[TR] Universal Joints: What is the Reason for Replacing

[John Macartney]

Terry Smith wrote:
>I may have missed it if it's been addressed already.  But what is the List consensus on having the 
>driveshaft professionally balanced when you have it out and are doing the u-joint overhaul?>
> This seems a prudent precaution at least for those who are doing ground ups on unknown cars.  I 
> did it for this reason, and the size counterweight they had to put on would choke a cow.

IMHO if you're doing a complete ground-up rebuild on almost any Triumph, a professional balancing 
and re-jointing exercise on the propellor (drive) shaft will be money well spent. Propshaft 
vibration on Triumphs was a major headache on all models from Herald and its later derivatives 
onwards. Same went for TR and big saloons as well. The most common cause was inadequate spot welding 
of the balance weight and it flew of with centrifugal force. I had mine redone about four years ago 
and went to the additional precaution of fitting two nylon cable ties around either end of the 
balance weight......... just in case:)

Jonmac